NAIROBI, Kenya- Fresh political fallout from the Ol Kalou by-election defeat has intensified within President William Ruto’s Mt Kenya support base, with leaders allied to the government accusing the region’s leadership of failing to provide direction.
Ndia Member of Parliament George Kariuki has challenged Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to take a more active role in providing leadership in Mt Kenya, warning that government supporters in the region cannot continue operating without a clear political command structure.
Speaking after the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) suffered a heavy defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, Kariuki said the loss exposed weaknesses in the way government-aligned leaders are engaging with voters.
He argued that the biggest challenge facing leaders supporting President Ruto in Mt Kenya was not lack of numbers, but the absence of effective leadership.
“Our biggest problem in Mt Kenya, for those in government, is lack of leadership. We no longer want chest thumping. Stop sleeping on your job,” Kariuki said.
Kindiki Put on the Spot
Kariuki directed his criticism at Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, urging him to provide stronger political direction for government supporters in the region.
The MP said leaders must actively engage wananchi instead of relying on past political support.
He warned that continued silence and lack of coordination could hurt President Ruto’s political fortunes ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We want leadership that will take us. We cannot be defensive all the time. Some of us shall come out to speak for the government,” he said.
Ol Kalou Defeat Sparks Introspection
Kariuki linked the UDA loss in Ol Kalou to what he described as poor political strategy and a disconnect between government leaders and voters.
He also pointed to the recent Mbeere North by-election, where he said government-backed candidates secured victory by only a narrow margin of about 400 votes.
According to Kariuki, the results should serve as a warning that political support cannot be taken for granted.
The remarks come after the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) won the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat by a significant margin over UDA, a result that has sparked debate within Mt Kenya over the state of President Ruto’s support in the region.
Warning Against Divisions
Kariuki also criticised Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku’s calls for greater political separation within the Mt Kenya region, arguing that the community must remain united.
“For Ruku, his calls for divisions for East and West, he is lost. Mt Kenya must stay as one,” Kariuki said.
His comments came amid growing debate among leaders on whether the Mt Kenya region should adopt a new political structure or maintain a united bargaining position ahead of 2027.
Despite his criticism of government leadership, Kariuki maintained that the region’s political future remains tied to President William Ruto.
He argued that supporting Ruto’s re-election bid offers Mt Kenya the strongest path to influence national leadership.
“The shortest route for our community to go back to State House is by following President William Ruto. We have the numbers,” he said.