Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma has declared President William
Ruto’s Mt. Kenya tour a resounding success, despite initial concerns of
possible hostility.
He said the so-called "Wa Mucene coalition," has been politically deflated following Ruto’s triumphant return to the region.
The MP, who is allied to Raila Odinga’s ODM party, said the tour proved President Ruto’s critics wrong as it “ended on a high note.”
According to Kaluma, the overwhelming turnout during Ruto’s tour was authentic and spontaneous.
"Mt. Kenya people love President Ruto. Those numbers and the energy on the ground cannot be staged or rented,” Kaluma said on X on Saturday.
Kaluma, a former critic of Ruto turned ally, emphasized that when President Ruto stormed the region, his critics “coiled and bowed, their legs trembling in honour when the King of the Mountain arrived home.”
“... (they) disappeared with their tails between their legs when the King of the Mountain arrived home,” Kaluma said.
He alleged that the narrative being pushed by Ruto’s critics — that the President had turned his back on the region — was debunked during the successful tour.
He singled out former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua among those who, according to him, “retreated” during Ruto’s five-day visit to Mt. Kenya.
The MP said the region should stop complaining about marginalization, arguing that President Ruto has secured for Mt. Kenya a disproportionate share of public service positions and national resources, to the detriment of other Kenyans.
The ODM lawmaker urged all Kenyans to join the broad-based government, which was formed after President Ruto dissolved his Cabinet last July following a wave of Gen Z protests.
“It is wrong for any leader to keep any ethnic community out of government when all Kenyans are equal taxpayers,” Kaluma said.
“Doing so means paying taxes for others to eat! Let all my Kamba brothers take their rightful place in government.”
The MP further claimed that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua may not be able to sustain a political fight against President Ruto and the broad-based government, saying he has already been vanquished.
