NAIROBI, Kenya — Central Organisation of Trade Unions (COTU) Secretary General Francis Atwoli says political influence in Mt Kenya remains divided, arguing that no politician can currently claim undisputed kingpin status in the region.
Atwoli pointed to Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro’s growing following while discussing Kenya’s shifting political alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.
His remarks come amid an intensifying contest for political influence in Mt Kenya, involving Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and other regional leaders. Recent political events have included competing efforts to mobilise the region around different leaders.
Atwoli: ‘The mountain is split’
Speaking during a local television interview, Atwoli was asked whether Mt Kenya remained politically united and whether Nyoro was building a following in the region.
He acknowledged Nyoro’s growing support but rejected the idea that any one politician had consolidated the entire region.
“So nobody in the mountain can say, ‘I am the kingpin,’” Atwoli said.
The COTU secretary general said different political parties and leaders currently command portions of support in the region, reflecting the increasingly competitive political environment ahead of 2027.
Nyoro, who has been making a fresh political push after leaving UDA for the People’s Party of Kenya, has emerged as one of the leaders attracting attention in the broader Mt Kenya political contest.
Kindiki’s political future questioned
The interview also turned to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and his political prospects ahead of the 2027 elections.
Atwoli described Kindiki as “another brilliant boy” but declined to predict whether he would eventually become president.
“I can’t tell you he will be a president,” Atwoli said.
On the question of whether Kindiki would remain President William Ruto’s running mate in 2027, Atwoli said the decision ultimately rests with the President.
“The running mate is a decision of the president,” he said.
Kindiki has publicly insisted that the Deputy President position is not vacant and said he intends to retain the position on Ruto’s 2027 ticket.
Mt Kenya leadership battle intensifies
The contest for influence in Mt Kenya has become more pronounced in recent weeks.
On September 19, elders representing Gikuyu, Embu and Meru communities endorsed Kindiki as spokesperson and representative of the wider Mt Kenya region while calling for unity.
The endorsement, however, has not ended disagreements over who should speak for the region.
Some Mt Kenya West leaders have questioned whether the Kirigiti meeting had the authority to speak for the entire region, while Gachagua has continued to position himself as a leading voice in the opposition-aligned camp.
Against that backdrop, Atwoli’s assessment that no single politician can claim the kingpin title reflects the competing claims to regional influence.
Atwoli urges Kenyans to avoid regional politics
Atwoli also cautioned Kenyans against assessing political leaders primarily through their ethnic or regional identities.
He urged voters to consider leaders on their individual qualities rather than automatically supporting someone because they come from a particular community or region.
“Let’s accept; these are all our sons. Let’s not be biased,” Atwoli said.
His remarks come as political leaders increasingly debate regional voting blocs and alliances ahead of the 2027 General Election.
COTU boss revisits retired presidents debate
Atwoli also returned to concerns he said he had raised during the 2017 political period about the constitutional framework governing retired presidents.
He argued that Kenyan presidents can leave office while still relatively young and retain significant political influence and resources after retirement.
“I said we are going to have young presidents. Even William Ruto, he’s going to retire when he’s young,” he said.
The comments come shortly after a High Court ruling concerning the continued occupation of formal political party leadership positions by retired presidents.
The court held that retired presidents cannot continue holding such formal party offices beyond the period provided by law, while the ruling did not bar them from political party membership or political participation.
Atwoli’s broader argument was that Kenya should examine how the political influence of former presidents is managed after they leave State House.
2027 race reshapes Mt Kenya politics
With the 2027 General Election approaching, Mt Kenya has become an increasingly contested political arena, with leaders seeking to build support across both the eastern and western sections of the region.
Kindiki has been leading government mobilisation efforts in the region, while Gachagua has continued building an opposition political network. Nyoro and other leaders are also seeking to expand their individual political bases.
