There were expectations that the
region would make public its displeasure with the President who is visiting the area for the first time since his
deputy Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment.
Big crowds and jubilant traditional
dancers have marked his one-week
visit.
Political observers say the reception could be an indicator that all is
not lost for Ruto in the region.
The former DP has repeatedly said
that Mt Kenya ditched the head of
state after he spearheaded his disgraceful removal from office.
Unlike
in the last election, Ruto is now the
man to beat in Raila Odinga strongholds following his rapprochement
with the former Prime Minister.
This means Ruto is likely to command a major lead in Nyanza, Western, Coast and Northeastern. This means if he retains a substantial
chunk of Mt Kenya vote block, he is
likely to leave the Gachagua-Kalonzo
axis scratching their heads.
However, it remains to be seen
whether Raila and his ODM brigade
will accept to back Ruto’s re-election
in 2027.
Meanwhile, in Mt Kenya region,
Gachagua’s close confidant and Maragua MP Mary Wamaua publicly
ditched his camp and joined Ruto.
The former DP has teamed up
with Kalonzo Musyoka (Wiper), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K) and Martha
Karua (People’s Liberation Party) in
a bid to challenge Ruto in the 2027
general election.
Mt Kenya regarded
as the base of the nascent movement.
According to Political analyst and
Jomo Kenyatta University of Science
and Technology lecturer Charles
Mwangi, Ruto had one task of scaling his political dominance in
the region following the nasty fallout with Gachagua last year.
“With growing speculation about potential challengers in 2027, the President wants
to show that he still commands unwavering support in the region,” the
university don told the Star.
“By parading elected leaders and
grassroots mobilisers rallying behind him, he seeks to shut down any
emerging power blocs before they
gain momentum.”
This is the first time the head of
state was visiting the vote-rich region
since parting ways with his former
deputy last year.
Ruto’s allies now believe that the
President maintains a strong grip on
the region.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi – unapologetic ally of the President – says
Ruto will garner more than half of the
region’s vote in the next election.
Wamumbi – who doesn’t see eye
to eye with Gachagua – said that the
President’s strong performance record and connection with the people
would deliver a commanding victory
across Mt Kenya.
“President William Ruto will get
58 per cent of Mt Kenya votes. These
days people are wise, they look for
and elect that leader with a vision and
a plan,” the legislator said.
Nyando MP Jared Okelo, an ODM
lawmaker, described Ruto’s tour as a
test of his standing in the region.
“President Ruto did not need any
Mt Kenya politician to gain access to
the region… The mountain has given
its soul to him,” Okelo said.
He added
that the large turnouts contradict the
narrative that the President has lost
favour in the region.
“Critics assumed that President
Ruto was unwelcome in Mt Kenya,
but the turnout told a very different
story.”
Gachagua and Kalonzo allies have,
however, dismissed the positive talks
of Ruto’s reception, insisting the region has moved on and no amount
of visits and state goodies will give
the head of state a fighting chance in
2027.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu said
the President lost the region the moment he fired Gachagua and failed
to fulfill his numerous pledges to the
region.
Speaking to the Star on phone, the
first-term lawmaker said no amount
visits or tours by the President will take away the people from the former
DP who, he said, is now firmly in control of the region.
“Ruto needs to know Mt Kenya
has moved on, for them (residents) to
come back to him, he needs to do a
lot of work in terms of fulfilling the
election pledges on roads, water, electricity which has not taken route,” he
added.
Muranga Senator Joe Nyutu also
dismissed the President’s tour, accusing him of failing to make good on his political promises and starting a war
with anyone from the region who expresses high ambitions.
He cited Kiharu MP Ndindi
Nyoro, former Cabinet secretaries
Justin Muturi (Public Service), Moses
Kuria (Trade and Public Service) and
Mithika Linturi (Agriculture) as some
of the notable figures.
“Ruto has no friends, everybody
and anybody who helped him in Mt
Kenya has now been fired,” Nyutu
said.