How Ruto’s Mt Kenya tour exposes Gachagua’s waning influence

President William Ruto’s tour of the Mt Kenya region has exposed the vulnerabilities of his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

Gachagua had previously claimed that Mt Kenya was done with President Ruto.

The former DP had claimed the region had been betrayed.

However, Ruto’s allies now believe that the President maintains a strong grip on the region, despite Gachagua’s removal from office last October.

Concerns had arisen that Ruto’s popularity in Mt Kenya was declining following a wave of resentment triggered by Gachagua’s ouster.

Gachagua, who has recently intensified meetings at his Wamunyoro residence to consolidate his regional support, may now be forced back to the drawing board.

While his camp had initially been buoyed by perceptions of growing influence and reports of Ruto’s diminishing popularity, the President’s assertive re-entry into Mt Kenya has jolted their confidence.

Ruto, who began his tour of the region on April 1, has received an overwhelmingly warm reception across Mt Kenya despite earlier concerns.

Even in Gachagua’s Nyeri backyard, he was well-received, raising questions about the former deputy president’s diminishing influence.

Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi dismissed the notion of a regional political kingpin, stating that Ruto’s visit reaffirmed his dominance in Mt Kenya.

“There is nothing like a Mt Kenya kingpin. The President did not need permission from anyone to visit the region, and the massive turnout welcoming him proves this,” he said.

Ruto launched his five-day tour in Laikipia County on Tuesday, where he was met with enthusiastic crowds as he unveiled and commissioned various development projects.

The warm reception continued in Nyeri, Meru, and Kirinyaga, with Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga aligning himself with the President.

Kahiga, addressing speculation about his presence at Ruto’s events, stated that he would also welcome the President in Nyeri town and Othaya on Saturday.

“I have noticed heightened interest in my attendance at the President’s functions in Kieni. Do not overanalyze these photos being circulated. The Presidency must be respected,” he said.

On Thursday morning, President Ruto hosted Mathira women for a breakfast meeting at the Sagana State Lodge, further solidifying his presence in Gachagua’s constituency.

During his tour, Ruto took a veiled jab at his former deputy over the battle for Mt Kenya’s political supremacy, insisting that his bond with the region remains strong.

Speaking in Maua, Meru County, on Wednesday, the President emphasized that his relationship with Mt Kenya spans over two decades and cannot be easily shaken.

“The friendship I have built with this region goes back more than 20 years. No one can come between me and the people of Mount Kenya,” Ruto said.

“Because you voted for me, I will keep working until you are amazed.”

Nyando MP Jared Okello, an ODM lawmaker, described Ruto’s tour as a test of his standing in the region.

“President Ruto did not need any Mt Kenya politician to gain access to the region… The mountain has given its soul to him,” Okello said.

He added that the large turnouts at Ruto’s events contradicted the narrative that the President had lost favor in the region.

“Critics assumed that President Ruto was unwelcome in Mt Kenya, but the turnout told a very different story,” he said.

However, Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu offered a more cautious assessment, suggesting that Mt Kenya residents are strategic in their political expressions.

“The President is having his moment for now, but our people know where their hearts truly lie,” he said during an interview on Citizen TV on Thursday.

As Ruto’s tour unfolds, the political landscape in Mt Kenya continues to shift, leaving Gachagua and his allies to rethink their next steps.

Political analyst Alexander Nyamboga said President Ruto has managed to prove his critics wrong by having a successful tour of Mt Kenya.

"It is just day three, but I believe the President has sent a strong message to his rivals, including Gachagua, that Mt Kenya could be a battleground,'' Nyamboga said.