President William Ruto has stepped up his political activities in Mt Kenya, aiming to reclaim support following his fallout with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
In recent months, he has met regional leaders at State House, while close allies, including DP Kithure Kindiki, CS Geofrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecile Mbarire have been campaigning for Leonard Wamuthende in the Mbeere North by-election on November 27.
Political analysts say these moves are part of Ruto’s broader strategy to maintain influence and relevance ahead of the 2027 general election.
Meanwhile, impeached former DP Gachagua has intensified his grassroots campaign for Democratic Party candidate Newton Karish in the Mbeere polls.
Gachagua has been traversing villages and going door-to-door alongside allies such as Justin Muturi and Manyatta MP John Gitonga Mukunji, among others, while trashing the President’s development agenda.
“I am with the villagers every step of the way, home by home, village by village, in a bid to liberate Kenya,” the former DP said during his campaign in Mbeere North on Wednesday.
He urged the residents to reject the UDA leadership, including President Ruto and Embu Governor Mbarire whom he insulted as Karinda, loosely translating to small dress.
He criticised the Kenya Kwanza administration, claiming its policies have strained livelihoods and promised the united opposition candidate Karish would bring change.
Ruto’s deputy Kindiki, who hails from Mt Kenya East, accused Gachagua of promoting the politics of hate, ethnicity and division.
Kindiki, while campaigning for Wamuthende, dismissed Gachagua as a “failed leader with no influence”. He faulted him for claiming to be Mt Kenya’s kingpin despite bringing little tangible development to the region.
“He has arrived here with a charm offensive for the opposition candidate, portraying himself as the region’s natural leader, yet he delivered nothing for the people of Mbeere North,” he said.
The DP urged residents to support the government’s development agenda and warned against the politics of succession.
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta has also intensified his influence in the region. A week ago, he warned voters against repeating “the 2022 mistake’’ of re-electing Ruto. He endorsed his former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i for president in 2027.
Speaking at a Jubilee Party delegates meeting in Thika Green, Murang’a county, Uhuru said his support for Matiang’i is based on competence, not tribal affiliation.
“I am supporting Matiang’i because of his capacity, not his tribe. In fact, I have never even visited his home, but he is a hardworking leader,” Uhuru said, urging party members to maintain unity.
Jubilee secretary-general Jeremiah Kioni emphasised the party will continue fighting for the interest of Kenyans. He said the party is ready to liberate Kenyans and promised that nominations will be conducted transparently.
“We will work with other leaders within the opposition to liberate Kenyans and we will support Matiang’i,” he said.
Former Murang’a Senator Kembi Gitura, who also spoke at the Jubilee event, said the party is gearing up to reconnect with supporters countrywide. “We are ready to move to every corner of the country and preach the Jubilee gospel. It’s time to support our candidates and rebuild our strength.”
He expressed confidence that under the leadership of Uhuru and deputy party leader Matiang’i, the party is poised for renewed growth. He urged the former CS to intensify outreach in Mt Kenya.
Political analysts say the unfolding dynamics reflect a high-stakes battle where perception and delivery matter as much as party loyalty.
Analyst Albert Kasembeli told the Star the battle for Mt Kenya is far from over and battlegrounds could become even more fragmented if current trends persist. He said while Ruto aims to consolidate his grip on the region, Uhuru aims to unite it and Gachagua is publicly challenging him.
Kasembeli said each move by the leaders is calculated to secure votes and influence local power brokers.
“Gachagua’s door-to-door campaign in Mbeere North highlights the power of grassroots mobilisation,” he said. “While Ruto relies on state resources and high-level meetings, Uhuru is banking on community goodwill and his legacy as a former leader.”
Meanwhile, a new crop of young politicians is also vying for influence in the region,” Kasembeli said.
Kiamwangi MCA Kung’u Smart has said Ruto leans on government projects and high-profile engagements to appeal to voters; Gachagua’s grassroots campaigns aim to connect personally with communities that feel marginalised.
He said Uhuru’s recent endorsements and calls for regional unity position him as the kingmaker, ensuring Mt Kenya speaks with one voice in the 2027 polls.
Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba recently praised Uhuru as the undisputed political kingpin of Mt Kenya, warning against politicians turning on each other for personal gain.
“Nobody has a monopoly on these eight million mountain votes. Before DCP (Democracy for the Citizens Party), there was Jubilee, UDA, DP and others. Hatupangwingwi,” she said.
Wamuchomba also praised Uhuru’s decade-long leadership, saying he never faced impeachment and maintained national unity despite political disagreements.
In a Facebook post on November 16, Wamuchomba said it makes little sense to target the President while leaving his network of regional allies untouched.
“Kicking out Ruto is not enough. We must remove him along with all his foot soldiers and sidekicks in the mountain,” she wrote.
Wachumbomba warned that the region risks repeating the mistakes of 2022, when a large portion of Mt Kenya voted overwhelmingly for Ruto despite prior warnings.
“A million of us in Mt Kenya tried to stop him in 2022, but you all voted for him, and now you are back here lecturing us. That is behind us now. In 2027, we must undo your mess,” she said.
President Ruto’s allies in Mt Kenya have launched grassroots forums to strengthen Kenya Kwanza’s support.
The team led by Cabinet Secretaries, principal secretaries, parastatal directors and chief executive officers has been traversing Mt Kenya, drumming up support for Ruto’s re-election.
Land CS Alice Wahome urged Mt Kenya residents to rally behind the current administration, saying the region remains open to leaders from across the country. She spoke at the Jamii Imara Mashiani forum in Gathundu last month.
She said political debates should focus on development not succession politics, urging the community to make informed choices.
Wahome praised the President’s development record, saying his initiatives have transformed lives countrywide, which makes him deserving of a second term.
She cautioned the opposition against spreading misleading narratives to divide the community and derail progress.
“We will continue supporting President Ruto and are confident he will be reelected,” the CS said. “We will not allow anyone to intimidate the people and Kenyans have the right to choose the leaders they want.”
She urged residents to prioritise candidates with a proven track record in delivering tangible development projects.
“Our community must look at results, not slogans. Leaders who have shown commitment to development deserve our support,” Wahome said.
Government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura urged Kenyans not to be swayed by opposition narratives.
“Some people are trying to create unnecessary confusion and distrust. Our message to Kenyans is clear: do not listen to those in the opposition who are misleading you,” Mwaura said.
A few months ago, Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri condemned remarks by Gachagua, who reportedly labelled him and National Assembly Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah as “enemies of the community”.
Kiunjuri called that rhetoric reckless, saying it could divide the community when unity is most needed.
“Such defamatory and inciteful remarks are not leadership. It is intimidation disguised as politics,” Kiunjuri said. “We must reject the culture of silencing alternative voices.”
Ndia MP George Kariuki last week warned that the opposition is attempting to sow divisions and emphasising that Mt Kenya has never crowned any leader as its kingpin.
“We follow development, not noise,” he said. “Anyone not speaking about development offers nothing to the people of Kirinyaga and Mt Kenya in general.”
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