NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto is set to embark on an intensive tour of the Mt Kenya region, a stronghold that catapulted him to power in 2022.
However, this return is marked by mixed reactions from locals, political tension, and waning support.
According to sources close to the presidency, Ruto is scheduled to launch several stalled projects, including key water initiatives promised during his previous visits.
The move is seen as a desperate bid to restore faith in his leadership in a region where political tides are shifting rapidly.
In preparation for the visit, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki—who replaced Rigathi Gachagua after his impeachment—has been holding closed-door meetings with area MPs and opinion leaders to set the stage.
Kindiki, who formerly served as Interior Cabinet Secretary, is now tasked with reviving the President’s dwindling influence in Mt Kenya.
“We’ve been instructed to mobilise people like never before,” said an MP who requested anonymity.
“The Nairobi tour had massive crowds, and the President wants to replicate that energy here.”
During his last major tour of Mt Kenya, Ruto was accompanied by his then-deputy Rigathi Gachagua, who has since become a fierce critic.
Gachagua’s ousting and the subsequent impeachment proceedings widened the rift between the President and the region, with many residents expressing disappointment over unfulfilled promises.
“Let him come,” said Mumbi Njeri, a shopkeeper in Nyeri town. “We voted for him because of Gachagua. Now Gachagua is gone, and we have nothing to show for our votes. Our projects are stalled, prices are high, and life is hard.”
Another resident, 25-year-old Peter Kamau from Kirinyaga, shared a different perspective.
“I want to see if he will deliver this time. We have many needs, from agriculture to water and bad roads. If he can fix that, maybe people will give him another chance,” he told Y News.
The stakes are high. In 2022, Mt Kenya delivered the lion’s share of votes that made Ruto Kenya’s fifth President.
But following Gachagua’s removal, the region’s support has visibly eroded.
Political analysts argue that Ruto’s decision to side with opposition leader Raila Odinga and enter a ‘power-sharing’ arrangement has further alienated his Mt Kenya base.
“Many people feel betrayed,” said political analyst Michael Gitonga. “ODM has harvested key positions in Parliament and government, while Mt Kenya leaders—especially those allied to Gachagua—have been sidelined.”
Indeed, most of Gachagua’s allies have been kicked out of influential parliamentary committees.
Gachagua, undeterred by his impeachment, is set to launch his new political party in May—a move that could reshape the region’s political landscape.
“This is going to be our party,” said a vocal supporter in Murang’a. “We’re tired of being used and dumped.”
On the ground, sentiments are varied. While some residents are enthusiastic about Ruto’s visit, hoping for renewed development, a majority remain skeptical.
The President’s recent tour of Nairobi was marred by incidents of theft and destruction, with criminal gangs trailing his entourage—a situation that has raised concerns about the effectiveness of his mobilization tactics.
“As taxpayers, we expect services whether we support him politically or not,” said Grace Wanjiku, a teacher in Kiambu. “We’ve heard enough speeches. It’s time for action.”
Whether the President can reignite the support he once enjoyed remains to be seen.
For now, Mt Kenya waits—some with hope, others with resignation, and many with questions about what the future holds.
