How Ruto’s moves pushed Rigathi to camp in Mt Kenya

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga with President WIlliam Ruto./PCS

Ruto’s back-to-back engagements in the vote-rich region that is perceived to be the backyard of Gachagua has forced the Democratic and Citizens Party leader to announce an extended 60-day political blitz on the mountain.

The meetings are aimed at shoring up DCP support and stemming a steady haemorrhage of allies back to the ruling UDA camp. The President camped in Nyeri county for three days, conducting a “development tour” on January 12, and was back to the county on January 17 for a meeting with UDA grassroots leaders. 

During the Saturday meeting at Sagana State Lodge, a few metres from Gachagua’s Wamunyoro home, Ruto said he was targeting to double his 2022 votes from the region.

In this regard, he tasked over 17,000 grassroots leaders with spearheading voter registration, expanding the party’s reach and mobilising supporters to ensure early preparations for the 2027 polls.

“We want to double those votes we received back in 2022. Those who did not vote for us in 2022 will vote for us in 2027,” the President said.

The move by Ruto is widely interpreted as a calculated bid to reclaim political ground in a region that has turned hostile following the Gachagua impeachment.

The onslaught appears to have rattled Gachagua, underscoring the high stakes both leaders attach to Mt Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“The Kenya Kwanza administration knows very well that if this region remains united, it will be a  one-term regime. That is why they are  trying to divide us into Mt Kenya East and West, and to remove Kiambu from the mountain. But they are late because we are united like concrete,” Gachagua said.

The visits came barely days after Gachagua staged what allies describe as a pre-emptive counteroffensive a day before President Ruto’s initial visit.

The former Deputy President held meetings in Nyeri and Kirinyaga counties and capped them with a radio interview on Kameme FM on Monday, where he announced plans to camp on the mountain for two months.

During the interview, Gachagua declared he would embark on a 60-day tour across Mt Kenya in February and March, holding rallies to consolidate support for DCP and block Ruto’s attempts to change the tide in the restive region.

“I will be on the ground for two months straight. I will be announcing these meetings on radio so that people can prepare themselves in defending themselves [against sponsored goons], churches, as well as women and children,” Gachagua said.

The DCP leader also announced a two-day tour of Nakuru county in February, where he said they will hold series of meetings in Nakuru county. They will traverse Mai Mahiu, Naivasha, Gilgil, Kikopey, Mbaruk and Nakuru town.

On the second day, they will cover Njoro, Warubaga, Molo, Bahati and Subukia, areas largely occupied by the Mt Kenya diaspora population. Reacting to Ruto’s frequent visits, Gatanga MP Edward Muriu says not much can change.

“The president was overwhelmingly voted for by the mountain in 2022. But he showed contempt with that support through betrayal and poor leadership. Now out of millions of voters, he is inviting a thousand people in Sagana and paying them Sh5,000. But he can’t buy all the votes,” Muriu said.