Gachagua, Kalonzo in trouble as President Ruto charms Mt Kenya

There were expectations that the region would make public its displeasure with the President who is visiting the area for the first time since his deputy Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment. Big crowds and jubilant traditional dancers have marked his one-week visit.

Political observers say the reception could be an indicator that all is not lost for Ruto in the region.

The former DP has repeatedly said that Mt Kenya ditched the head of state after he spearheaded his disgraceful removal from office.

Unlike in the last election, Ruto is now the man to beat in Raila Odinga strongholds following his rapprochement with the former Prime Minister.

This means Ruto is likely to command a major lead in Nyanza, Western, Coast and Northeastern. This means if he retains a substantial chunk of Mt Kenya vote block, he is likely to leave the Gachagua-Kalonzo axis scratching their heads.

However, it remains to be seen whether Raila and his ODM brigade will accept to back Ruto’s re-election in 2027.

Meanwhile, in Mt Kenya region, Gachagua’s close confidant and Maragua MP Mary Wamaua publicly ditched his camp and joined Ruto.

The former DP has teamed up with Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) and Martha Karua (People’s Liberation Party) in a bid to challenge Ruto in the 2027 general election.

Mt Kenya regarded as the base of the nascent movement. According to Political analyst and Jomo Kenyatta University of Science and Technology lecturer Charles Mwangi, Ruto had one task of scaling his political dominance in the region following the nasty fallout with Gachagua last year.

“With growing speculation about potential challengers in 2027, the President wants to show that he still commands unwavering support in the region,” the university don told the Star.

“By parading elected leaders and grassroots mobilisers rallying behind him, he seeks to shut down any emerging power blocs before they gain momentum.”

This is the first time the head of state was visiting the vote-rich region since parting ways with his former deputy last year.

Ruto’s allies now believe that the President maintains a strong grip on the region. Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi – unapologetic ally of the President – says Ruto will garner more than half of the region’s vote in the next election.

Wamumbi – who doesn’t see eye to eye with Gachagua – said that the President’s strong performance record and connection with the people would deliver a commanding victory across Mt Kenya.

“President William Ruto will get 58 per cent of Mt Kenya votes. These days people are wise, they look for and elect that leader with a vision and a plan,” the legislator said. Nyando MP Jared Okelo, 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,” Okelo said.

He added that the large turnouts contradict the narrative that the President has lost favour in the region. “Critics assumed that President Ruto was unwelcome in Mt Kenya, but the turnout told a very different story.”

Gachagua and Kalonzo allies have, however, dismissed the positive talks of Ruto’s reception, insisting the region has moved on and no amount of visits and state goodies will give the head of state a fighting chance in 2027.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said the President lost the region the moment he fired Gachagua and failed to fulfill his numerous pledges to the region.

Speaking to the Star on phone, the first-term lawmaker said no amount visits or tours by the President will take away the people from the former DP who, he said, is now firmly in control of the region.

“Ruto needs to know Mt Kenya has moved on, for them (residents) to come back to him, he needs to do a lot of work in terms of fulfilling the election pledges on roads, water, electricity which has not taken route,” he added.

Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu also dismissed the President’s tour, accusing him of failing to make good on his political promises and starting a war with anyone from the region who expresses high ambitions.

He cited Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, former Cabinet secretaries Justin Muturi (Public Service), Moses Kuria (Trade and Public Service) and Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) as some of the notable figures.

“Ruto has no friends, everybody and anybody who helped him in Mt Kenya has now been fired,” Nyutu said.