PRESIDENT William Ruto’s tour of the mountain has intensified jostling for elective positions in 2027, as politicians align based on the mood at the grassroots.
Following the visit, the battle lines are becoming clear, with most allies of impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua giving the tour a wide birth.
On the other hand, allies of the President accompanied him throughout the visit, in some instances bracing themselves for hostile crowds and booing as they defended Ruto and government.
The visit left a political battle in Githunguri, Kiambu county, between area MP Gathoni wa Muchomba and her predecessor, Gabriel Kago.
The MP has been a key critic of the President and Majority leader Kimani Ichungw’ah in the Kiambu politics.
In Murang’a, the battle lines are drawn between sitting Woman Rep Betty Maina and National Cohesion and Integration Commission vice chairperson Wambui Nyutu, who has declared interest in the job.
Nyutu, a Gachagua close ally, accompanied the former DP in a brief stopover in her home constituency of Maragua, Murang’a county, where she indicated she would go for the Woman Rep seat or area MP.
The consideration for Nyutu vying for Maragua seat as a second thought came just after area MP Mary Wamaua decamped from the Gachagua camp to Ruto’s.
In Laikipia county, Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East) and former Woman Rep Cate Waruguru are standing on the opposite sides.
The two have set their eyes on the Laikipia governorship as Governor Joshua Irungu serves his second and last term.
In Nyandarua, former Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki is readying to take on Governor Kiarie Badilisha.
Kariuki, who resigned from the Cabinet to vie for the seat in 2022, paid homage to Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence in February.
At the meeting, she “shared her thoughts on matters pertaining the county” with the former DP.
Nyandarua was one of the hostile grounds for the President’s visit, triggering a war of words between Ruto allies and Senator John Methu.
Wamuchomba has also warned that just like the last Parliament, all “yes MPs” will not escape the chopping board.
“Ruto will align with the popular aspirants. It’s payback for the impeachment and Finance Bills pains. Ground is king,” Wamuchomba said.
Sabaoti MP Caleb Amisi has also observed that with the visit, President Ruto had successfully buried the political careers of MPs from Central region allied to him.
“It is done for all of them. Now he will start working with the new aspirants on the ground who will be popular from Wamunyoro [Gachagua] camp and Uhuru camps. I warned them but they didn’t listen. It was an escort tour for them. It happened to Uhuru’s handshake MPs. History repeats itself,” Amisi said.
It is during the Mt Kenya tour that Ruto snatched Wamaua, who has been a key figure in Gachagua’s inner circle
