Ruto allies in Mt Kenya East push regional split in bid to salvage 2027 support

Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku at Full Gospel Churches of Kenya, Kangaru in Manyatta constituency, Embu county on December 14, 2025

President William Ruto’s allies from Mt Kenya East have ignited a political storm after calling for a regional divorce from Mt Kenya West. The move is widely seen as a strategy to split the restive region and run away with a chunk that would badly dent the opposition.

The push, led by Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, comes in the wake of the UDA victory in the Mbeere North by-election and is linked to the rivalry between DP Kithure Kindiki and his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua.

Political analysts opine that the new strategy seeks to use the Kindiki card to salvage support from Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties, as resistance intensifies in the larger Mt Kenya region.

Ruku has argued that Mt Kenya East leaders are facing hostility from their Mt Kenya West counterparts, who are largely aligned with Gachagua and increasingly opposed to the Ruto administration.

“If it means getting Tharaka Nithi, Embu and Meru counties out of Mt Kenya, that’s what we’re going to do,” Ruku said on Saturday. He recounted an incident in Limuru, Kiambu County, where he encountered “serious resistance” while attempting to defend the government’s record during a church visit.

“The people of Mt Kenya West, those who are resisting, if we, the people of Mt Kenya East, have the opportunity to be a heartbeat away from the presidency and the government is bad, then we will say in broad daylight, we don’t want to be part of that mountain,” Ruku said.

The CS argued that Mt Kenya East leaders have historically backed successive governments, from Jomo Kenyatta through Mwai Kibaki to Uhuru Kenyatta, and now feel unfairly targeted at a time when they see themselves as politically ascendant.

“It cannot be that we supported Kenyatta I, Kibaki and Kenyatta II, and just when we are a heartbeat away, the government becomes hostile. That cannot be allowed. We will have to respect each other,” he said.

Addressing officers at the Kenya School of Government, the CS said the Mbeere North by-election win was hard-fought, blaming what he described as sustained political “poisoning” of voters by Gachagua and his allies, including former Agriculture CS Mithika Linturi.

“There is serious venom on the ground. You campaign in an area with a newly tarmacked road and people still say they want nothing to do with the government. That shows how deep the poison has spread in villages,” Ruku said.

He sustained the narrative on Sunday alongside Embu Governor and UDA chairperson Cecily Mbarire, as they pledged to remain firmly in government and defend Ruto’s administration.

“We are not Kikuyus. We are Embus, Merus, Tharakas, Chukas, Mbeeres, Tiganias and Igembes, with our own customs and traditions that must be respected,” Ruku said at the Full Gospel Churches of Kenya in Kangaru, Manyatta constituency.

He added that Mt Kenya East faces distinct development challenges that require focused attention from the current administration.

“If for you in Mt Kenya West you have enough roads, electricity and milk, that is not our situation. We cannot allow ourselves to be consumed in a pocket. Mt Kenya East must stand firm and protect its political and economic interests,” he said.

Mbarire echoed the sentiment, saying the region would chart its own political destiny and would not be dragged into political battles that do not serve its people. She noted that Mt Kenya East has a Deputy President and should focus on consolidating its influence within government.

However, the remarks have triggered a sharp backlash, with leaders and opinion shapers warning that the rhetoric risks deepening ethnic and regional divisions. Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji said the call for a split had unsettled the Kikuyu business community, which is concerned about the long-term implications.

“It is a sad and archaic conversation to suggest dividing Kikuyus from Embu people. I condemn the remarks by CS Ruku and Governor Mbarire. This is an attempt to divide people who live and work together, especially for me, who represents a cosmopolitan constituency,” Mukunji said.

He accused Ruku and Mbarire of reportedly advancing a divisive agenda.

“You are just pawns in a chess game. The reality is that people are not buying it,” he added.

Lawyer Ndegwa Njiru dismissed the proposal as reckless and unworthy of serious consideration, accusing the CS of contradicting Ruto’s public messaging on unity and inclusivity following the formation of a broad-based government.

“The President has spoken repeatedly about inclusivity and even partnered with ODM for a national agenda. How then does a Cabinet Secretary under him engage in such politics?” Njiru posed.

Former Mukurweini MP Kabando wa Kabando went further, accusing the Kenya Kwanza administration of orchestrating a divide-and-rule strategy in Mt Kenya while maintaining cohesion within the Kalenjin community.

“Their mission is to divide Gema while mesmerising church platforms. Irony is the Kalenjin community comprises Kipsigis, Nandi, Keiyo, Marakwet, Pokot, Tugen, Sabaot, Terik and Ogiek, who coexist harmoniously, as should be the case. I pity my fellow Gema guys being misused,” Kabando said.

Political analyst Bosco Kiura from Embu said while internal disagreements were legitimate, dividing the region was not a viable political strategy.

“The mountain belongs to all its residents. Chest-thumping over ownership is misplaced,” Kiura said, adding that Kindiki remains the highest-ranking government official from the region.

“The push to divide the mountain is unacceptable, and residents should reject it,” he said.

Beyond the Mt Kenya East and West rivalry, a section of pro-government leaders from Kiambu in August initiated a debate to have the county as a standalone region from Mt Kenya. The clamour received the backing of Kindiki and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.