Ruto to pitch tent in Murang’a as battle for Mt Kenya rages

The visit came against the backdrop of an intensifying fallout with his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, whose growing influence in the region has unsettled the President’s political base that voted for him almost to a man in 2022.

Ahead of the visit, leaders in the Kenya Kwanza administration have mobilised residents to turn up in large numbers, casting the tour as a showcase of the government’s delivery record.

Lands CS Alice Wahome said the President will commission and launch projects worth Sh27 billion, including affordable housing units and modern markets.

“The President is coming to demonstrate what his government has done for the people of Murang’a,” Wahome said. She spoke during a women's empowerment programme at Mbiri Primary School in Kiharu. She also urged residents to maintain peace and support the visit.

The development pitch is emerging as central to Ruto’s re-election strategy as he seeks to turn the tide in the restive region.  

Sports PS Elijah Mwangi has also highlighted youth-focused investments, noting that Murang’a has benefited from two international-standard stadiums with a capacity of 10,000 each.

The leaders, also including Woman Representative Betty Maina and Communications Authority chairman Charles Karondo, defended the government’s record and accused the opposition, led by DCP leader Gachagua, of incitement.

Ruto, on April 7, hosted a delegation of grassroots and political leaders from Murang’a at State House, Nairobi, among them nominated Senator Veronica Maina, nominated MP Sabina Chege (Jubilee), Wahome and PS Mwangi.

The meeting, attended by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, focused on development priorities, including infrastructure and agricultural reforms in coffee, dairy and tea sectors—key economic pillars in Mt Kenya.

But beyond the development agenda, the visit carries clear political undertones.

Murang’a has emerged as one of the key battlegrounds in the widening rift between Ruto and Gachagua, with the DCP leader rallying support through his grassroots mobilisation campaigns and criticism of the government.

“Murang’a is symbolic because it reflects the broader struggle for Mt Kenya. Ruto is leaning on development delivery, while Gachagua is tapping into regional identity and perceived grievances,” political analyst Dennis Mwangi opines.

The region, long considered a cohesive voting bloc, is increasingly fracturing into two main competing factions.

While a majority of elected leaders remain aligned with the President, Gachagua is tapping into new entrants to dislodge the incumbents through his “Operation Fagia”.

Gachagua visited Murang’a on Sunday in a tour widely seen as a pre-emptive political move to consolidate his foothold in the area ahead of the President’s tour.

During his stops, he de-campaigned area leaders backing the President, even as he gave aspirants time and a microphone to campaign for themselves.

The back-to-back visits have also raised the stakes around turnout and optics. Crowd sizes and public reception during the President’s tour are likely to be closely compared to Gachagua’s earlier mobilisation, turning what is termed a development visit into a symbolic contest of political strength.

The DCP leader, however, urged residents of Murang’a to quietly listen to the President without heckling so they can get the development that belongs to them.

But he said Mt Kenya leaders, who will be accompanying the President, should be shouted down, labelling them as traitors in the region.

During his other visits to the Mt Kenya region, the President has also flashed the development card, arguing he is delivering his promises across the board.

He has also argued that 2027 will be determined by the development record rather than political rhetoric.

Mt Kenya is said to be central to Ruto's calculus in the 2027 race, considering the mixed signals from the ODM side.

Pundits argue that while Ruto appears keen to consolidate support in the Raila Odinga strongholds, he needs a sizeable vote in Mt Kenya to make the cut in the first run.

Gachagua's impeachment is argued to have sullied the waters in what was Ruto's premier constituency in the 2022 race. The backing is said to have secured him the win over Raila, who was then backed by Uhuru Kenyatta.