Even after spending a whole week campaigning in the Mount Kenya region, President William Ruto’s allies are beginning to realize that rebuilding support in the area will not be easy. The atmosphere has changed, and instead of gaining ground, hostility toward the President’s main political allies seems to be growing.
With the 2027 elections approaching, the resistance is only expected to increase. This was clearly seen last Wednesday in Kirinyaga when Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi was kicked out of a burial for attacking former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Wamumbi is Gachagua’s home MP and had succeeded him in Parliament after Gachagua became Ruto’s running mate in 2022. Interestingly, this rejection happened just days after Ruto’s visit to the region, which his supporters had claimed was a major success.
By Friday, Wamumbi announced that he would not be seeking re-election in 2027. Jubilee Party Secretary-General Jeremiah Kioni added fuel to the fire by stating that residents of Mount Kenya have already made up their minds.
According to him, they have given up on the Kenya Kwanza government and nothing can change that decision. Kioni said people in the region are now planning their future without relying on Ruto’s government, either in terms of politics or development.
He explained that even at the grassroots level, there is no expectation that the region will benefit from the current administration.
Although Ruto’s visit was largely peaceful, several of his top allies were booed in public rallies. Leaders like Kimani Ichung’wah, Mwangi Kiunjuri, Faith Gitau, and Anne Muratha were not spared. Political analysts say this shows deep frustrations in the region.
Just a few days after the visit, the Farmers Party, linked to former KICC chair Irungu Nyakera, officially left Kenya Kwanza. Nyakera said the move was because of dishonesty and broken promises, noting that the economy has worsened and the people are tired of waiting.
Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has fallen out with Ruto, also visited the region and openly said that Mount Kenya has parted ways with UDA. He criticized the alliance, comparing it to riding to a wedding in someone else’s car, suggesting that the community now wants its own political vehicle. This came after Maragua MP Mary Wamaua defected from Gachagua’s side to support the President.
Despite this, Gachagua said he felt the warmth and love of the people, reminding him of the strong community ties in the region.
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu also made it clear that the people of his county would not change their stand. He urged residents to prepare for the 2027 vote, blaming the President for the poor state of hospitals, stalled roads, and the deaths of Gen Z protestors.
A local from Nyeri claimed that the President had to use MPs to mobilize people to attend his events, saying that if Ruto had real support in the region, he would not need to pay crowds. Some attendees reportedly received up to Sh3,000 to show up.
On the other hand, Jubilee-nominated MP Sabina Chege defended the President. She argued that accusing the government of bribing people is an insult to the intelligence of Mount Kenya residents.
Chege added that every Kenyan, not just those from big voting blocks, deserves to benefit from national development. She said she accepted the 2022 election results and chose to work with the President for the sake of unity and progress. But despite such comments, the growing dissatisfaction across Mount Kenya continues to show that Ruto’s grip on the region is slipping fast.
