Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi.
The difficulty of President William Ruto reclaiming his support in Mount Kenya could slowly be dawning on his allies even after the President combed the region in a one-week political blitz.
Hostility continues to grow against the President’s key lieutenants, which is likely to soar as the clock ticks towards the 2027 polls.
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi was on Wednesday chased from a funeral in Kirinyaga when he launched an attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Interestingly, the MP was forced out just a week after Ruto’s Mount Kenya tour, which his allies revelled in as a big success.
On Friday, Wamumbi announced he won’t be seeking re-election in 2027.
Wambumbi is Gachagua’s home MP and the man who succeeded him after the ex-DP was tapped as Ruto’s running mate in 2022.
Jubilee secretary general Jeremiah Kioni says residents of Mt Kenya have made up their mind and have given up on the government and nothing will change their mind.
“Whether it is politics or development you want to bring to that region, people from that region have given up on your [Ruto] politics and development promises,” he said.
“Wanajipanga vingine (they are organising themselves differently). We can speak about Mt Kenya all day but the game has moved.
“I was there yesterday and the people down there at the grassroots are expecting nothing to be done in their region.”
Although Ruto’s Mt Kenya visit was largely peaceful, some of his foot soldiers were booed as they drummed up support for the President.
Those who faced the wrath of the people include Kimani Ichungw’ah (Kikuyu), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua) and Anne Muratha (Kiambu).
Analysts say these pockets of hostility point to the smouldering disquiet with the government.
Three days after the Mount Kenya visits, Farmers Party, which is associated with former KICC chairperson Irungu Nyakera, withdrew from Kenya Kwanza.
The party cites what it calls political deceit in its disengagement.
Speaking on NTV, Nyakera said residents of the region are angry with the government because promises made are yet to be fulfilled, even as they hurt because of the poor economy.
Soon after the Mt Kenya tour, Gachagua visited Maragua and said the region had bid goodbye to the UDA regime.
“So the President came and went around here for a week. Has anything changed?” Gachagua asked.
“We are making a national party centred on Mt Kenya region because the mistake we did is to go to a wedding in someone's else vehicle.”
The former DP was making the visit a few days after Maragua MP Mary Wamaua decamped from his camp and joined Ruto’s camp.
He added that he was touched by the “great love” he received from the residents.
“It has reminded me of the importance of community ties and the bonds we share,” Gachagua said.
“It is in these simple moments that we find the true essence of belonging.”
Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu said Murang’a people will not change their stance.
He urged residents to register as voters and rally their peers to participate in the 2027 polls.
“He [the President] annoyed us by overseeing the killing of Gen Zs. Our problem is the failed health system and stalled roads,” Nyutu said.
A resident from Nyeri said the President was using MPs to mobilise people on his behalf so he could be received by large crowds.
“If he genuinely had public support in Mt. Kenya, he wouldn’t need to do that. If indeed he had the crowd of the mountain, there was no need of mobilising people or paying them.”
Others said they received as much as Sh3,000 to attend the tour.
However, Jubilee nominated MP Sabina Chege, who supports the President, said saying people were paid to welcome the president was cheapening them.
“You cannot purport to be a leader of your region and you are showing Kenyans that your people have no brains and that they can be bought by money,” she said on Thursday.
“Are we saying people cannot come out to welcome a President bringing development?
“We must share in this national cake and not just because of our numbers, every other Kenyan. We only have one President. I was in Azimio and when we lost, I accepted and supported him.”
