MOUNTAIN DISSENT! Ruto’s Allies Face Increased Animosity In Mt. Kenya
Even after a one-week political blitz, President William Ruto’s friends may be starting to realize how difficult it will be to restore his support atop Mount Kenya.
Hostility toward the President’s main lieutenants continues to rise, and it is expected to skyrocket as the clock ticks toward the 2027 elections.
On Wednesday, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi was chased from a burial in Kirinyaga after launching an attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Interestingly, the MP was driven out just a week after Ruto’s Mount Kenya excursion, which his supporters hailed as a resounding success.
On Friday, Wamumbi stated that he will not seek re-election in 2027.
Wambumbi is Gachagua’s home MP and the man who succeeded him after the ex-DP was chosen as Ruto’s running mate for 2022.
Jeremiah Kioni, Jubilee Secretary-General, claims that residents of Mt Kenya have made up their minds and have given up on the government, and nothing will change that.
“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.”
Jeremiah Kioni: People from Mt.Kenya have given up on your politics and development promises, wanajipanga kwingine. They are expecting nothing to be done in that region.
— K24 TV (@K24Tv) April 9, 2025
#ThePeopleDialogue pic.twitter.com/NoOR6bsUrt
He added: “I was there yesterday and the people down there at the grassroots are expecting nothing to be done in their region.”
Although Ruto’s visit to Mount Kenya was mainly calm, several of his foot soldiers were booed as they rallied support for the President.
Kimani Ichungw’ah (Kikuyu), Mwangi Kiunjuri (Laikipia East), Faith Gitau (Nyandarua), and Anne Muratha (Kiambu) have all been targeted by the people.
According to analysts, these pockets of antagonism reflect simmering discontent with the government.
Three days after the Mount Kenya visits, the 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.
Nyakera told NTV that residents in the region are furious with the government because promises made have yet to be delivered, and they are also impacted by the weak economy.
'Murima' wazidi kuteleza au ni shwari?
— NTV Kenya (@ntvkenya) April 3, 2025
Irungu Nyakera: Kaluma, hii Kenya Kwanza yenye unaingia, sisi ndio tuliitafuta. Wacha tutoke polepole, usitupige mateke.#MduaraNTV @FredMuitiriri @loftymatambo pic.twitter.com/WqoUll3AQz
Gachagua visited Maragua shortly after the Mt Kenya excursion and stated that the region had said its goodbyes to the UDA government.
“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 paid the visit a few days after Maragua MP Mary Wamaua defected from his camp and joined Ruto’s camp.
He also expressed gratitude for the “great love” he received from the community.
“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 declared that the Murang’a people will not modify their views.
He encouraged citizens to register as voters and mobilize their peers to vote in the 2027 elections.
“He [the President] annoyed us by overseeing the killing of Gen Zs. Our problem is the failed health system and stalled roads,” Nyutu said.
It can't be that the only thing Ruto cares about is his 2027 re-election – Senator Joe Nyutu pic.twitter.com/8k7BLcHaMw
— Kenyans.co.ke (@Kenyans) February 11, 2025
According to a Nyeri resident, the President was employing MPs to mobilise people on his behalf in order to be received by massive 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 claimed they received up to Sh3,000 to attend the tour.
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However, Jubilee-nominated MP Sabina Chege, who supports the President, claimed that stating individuals 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?
She added: “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.”
MOUNTAIN DISSENT! Ruto’s Allies Face Increased Animosity In Mt. Kenya
