President William Ruto launched a major push Friday to reclaim influence in Kenya’s pivotal Mt. Kenya region, commissioning a KSh10 billion industrial park in Nyeri County amid intensifying rival bids from impeached former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and allies of ex-President Uhuru Kenyatta ahead of the 2027 election.
The move highlights Ruto scramble to win back the vote-rich area, which holds about 20% of Kenya’s electorate and shifted support to opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2022. With Gachagua vowing a ballot-box comeback after his October 2024 impeachment and Uhuru reportedly brokering a united front against the administration, analysts warn Ruto reelection hinges on delivering economic fixes like reviving battered coffee and tea sectors.
Ruto development initiatives take center stage
“We’re accelerating projects in infrastructure and farming to uplift our people,” Ruto told a public rally in Nyeri, framing the Tatu City Industrial Park launch as proof of commitment to communities feeling sidelined. He has dispatched Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and Water Minister Alice Wahome for outreach, promising boosts in agriculture and roads to counter accusations of neglect.
But challenges mount. Gachagua, acquitted this month in a corruption case tied to his fallout with Ruto, has rallied supporters from his Nyeri home, urging Mt. Kenya voters to reject “betrayal” and back candidates prioritizing local interests. His loyalists, including lawmakers Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichung’wah, are holding secret meetings to plot a path forward, with talks of a new regional party.
Gachagua alliance prospects and regional rivalries
Sources say Gachagua eyes a potential alliance with Uhuru camp, which has regrouped under the Azimio coalition. Uhuru, low-key since 2022, hosted over 50 lawmakers and governors in Gatundu last month to strategize against perceived marginalization. Ally Mutahi Kagwe, ex-health minister, warned at a Murang’a forum: “We can’t afford to scatter. Mt. Kenya must speak as one to secure our place.”
The impeachment, sparked by claims of insubordination and ethnic bias, has deepened rifts. Lawmakers who voted to oust Gachagua faced constituent backlash, including harassment, over his replacement by Kindiki from neighboring Meru. Upcoming by-elections, like in Mbeere North, test Gachagua’s enduring clout.
Strategies to counter unity calls in Mt Kenya
Ruto team denies favoritism, citing increased budgets for Mt. Kenya areas and Kindiki role as inclusive steps. Strategies include wooing figures like Nyoro and splitting the region into east-west factions to dilute unity calls. Broader coalitions with opposition elements are also in play to offset potential losses.
Yet, residents voice exhaustion with the politicking. “We need roads, schools and markets for our produce. Let leaders handle their fights elsewhere,” said Kiambu tea farmer Jane Wanjiku. Social media reflects the divide, with some dubbing Gachagua the region’s “kingpin” while others decry tribalism.
Uhuru resurgence and future implications
Uhuru resurgence adds tension, with reports of a Gachagua “handshake” alarming Ruto allies. At a recent Jubilee event, Uhuru hinted at 2027 plans, escalating his longstanding feud with Ruto. “The gloves are off,” one analyst observed.
Critics like political historian Macharia Munene of United States International University say Ruto must deliver beyond visits: “The people want tangible outcomes, not just rhetoric.” With elections two years away, identity politics clash with co-option efforts in this agricultural hub. The battle for hearts and minds continues, potentially reshaping Kenya’s political landscape.
