President William Ruto's allies will on Friday mount a major political counter-offensive in Mt Kenya East, just three days after DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua concluded a three-day tour of Embu, Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties.
A poster shared by head of Presidential Special Projects and Creative Economy Dennis Itumbi shows Kenya Kwanza has assembled a formidable line-up of senior leaders for the Mbeere North Education Day, demonstrating the growing battle for the region ahead of 2027.
The delegation will include National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining), Aden Duale (Health), Alfred Mutua (Labour), William Kabogo (ICT) Wycliffe Oparanya (Cooperatives) and President Ruto's aide Farouk Kibet.
Also expected are UDA secretary general Hassan Omar, Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Kilifi Governor Gideon Mung'aro, Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika, several MPs, PSs and heads of state agencies.
Although officially organised by Mbeere North MP Leo Wamuthende as an education event, the gathering bears all the hallmarks of a high-level political mobilisation.
In another event in the county on the same day, Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen is expected to lead a Sh10 million fundraiser at St Stephen's Secondary School in Kagaari.
Murkomen will be joined by Public Service CS Geoffrey Ruku, Governor Cecily Mbarire, Senator Alexander Mundigi and a host of PSs. These include Raymond Omollo (Interior), Joseph Mbugua (Roads), Alex Wachira (Energy), Patrick Mariru (Defence), Festus Ng'eno (Environment), Betsy Njagi (Blue Economy) and Esther Muoria (TVET).
The back-to-back engagements point to a broader Kenya Kwanza strategy to shore up support in Mt Kenya East, one of the few areas in the wider Mt Kenya region where the ruling coalition believes it can still mount a competitive challenge against Gachagua.
During his tour, Gachagua repeatedly declared he would deny Ruto any meaningful support in the region in 2027.
"I am here to lock this region out of Ruto's reach. I will make sure that every time he comes here, I return as soon as possible to clear his footprints," Gachagua said.
Speaking on Wednesday after receiving Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha into DCP, Gachagua claimed UDA had already lost the Mountain.
"The most we can allow him to get here is two per cent from those who have benefited directly from him and his surrogates," he said.
Gachagua's latest tour came weeks after Ruto attended the 60th anniversary celebrations of Burieruri Boys High School in Meru on June 28 and a church service in Embu on July 5.
The President announced another development tour of the region in August, during which he said he would inspect projects worth Sh20 billion.
Political analyst Fred Sasia said Gachagua has succeeded in reframing the region's political debate from personalities to what many voters perceive as political betrayal and exclusion.
"His recent reception in Meru and Embu suggests that local grievances over unmet expectations and perceived political sidelining are finding a common voice," Sasia told The Star.
Political analyst Dennis Mwangi said retaining Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on the 2027 ticket could prove critical if President Ruto hopes to preserve a meaningful foothold in Mt Kenya East.
"If he manages to get something small, like Raila did, it might help. However, there are many conditions. First, he has to retain Kindiki. Forget about CS Ruku saying they will support Ruto regardless. Dropping Kindiki would effectively consolidate the Mountain behind Gachagua," Mwangi said.
Already, speculation is growing over Kindiki's political future, with leaders from Nyanza, Western and the Coast positioning their regions to produce a running mate in 2027.
Sasia warned against writing off the President in Mt Kenya East, arguing that incumbency, ongoing development projects and the presence of a deputy president from the region still give Kenya Kwanza an opportunity to recover lost ground.
"The President still has an opportunity to regain confidence, but that window is narrowing. It will require more than rallies and counter-mobilisation. It will demand visible economic interventions, consistent engagement with local concerns and a renewed effort to rebuild trust."
He added: "If the administration continues to view the contest merely as a battle against Gachagua instead of addressing the underlying frustrations of voters, it may find itself fighting symptoms while ignoring the disease."
