Ruto allies hit the ground for Ruto ahead of his Mount Kenya tour

The President is set to return to the region after a six-month absence, following the impeachment of his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua.

While his official itinerary remains undisclosed, sources indicate that Ruto will tour the region for an entire week.

His allies are keeping the details under wraps as they make logistical preparations.

In anticipation of his visit, large billboards welcoming the President have been erected in major towns across Mount Kenya, including Kiambu, Nyeri, Kirinyaga, along Thika Road, and in Embu.

In Nyeri, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi traversed the constituency, including Nyeri Town, on Monday, urging residents to turn out in large numbers to welcome the President.

“We are ready to welcome the President to our region, and I can confirm that people are excited and eagerly awaiting his visit,” Wamumbi said in Nyeri Town.

A massive billboard featuring images of the President, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, and Wamumbi has been put up in the town, emblazoned with the message “Karibu Mlima” (Welcome to the Mountain).

Meanwhile, Nyandarua Woman Representative Faith Gitau has been hosting a series of events in her county, rallying residents to welcome the President.

The tour, expected to begin in the first week of April, follows a series of high-level consultations with regional leaders.

On March 20, Ruto met with all elected leaders from Mount Kenya at State House to plan for the visit, following a similar meeting convened earlier by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

On Monday, Ruto held another meeting with at least five Cabinet Secretaries and 13 Principal Secretaries from the region to finalize preparations.

Eight governors attended the State House meeting, except Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, a close ally of Gachagua. Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika was also absent but sent an apology.

Ruto’s last development-focused tour of Mount Kenya was in August when he spent three days launching and commissioning projects in the region.

These meetings are seen as part of efforts to align the President’s agenda with the political realities on the ground, amid reports of growing discontent in the region.