NAIROBI, Kenya- President William Ruto has arrived in Emurua Dikirr, Narok County, just five days after former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua toured the constituency in a high-profile political visit.
Ruto’s visit on Wednesday, August 26, comes against the backdrop of growing political competition in the South Rift, with Gachagua using his August 21 tour to court residents and strengthen the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We want unity in this area,” President Ruto said, calling for unity among all political competitors.
The timing of the President’s visit has attracted attention, particularly because Gachagua’s tour was seen as an attempt to challenge President Ruto’s political influence in an area traditionally regarded as part of the President’s support base.
Gachagua visited the family of the late Emurua Dikirr MP Johana Ng’eno in Mogondo before addressing residents during his DCP tour.
He pledged to build a mausoleum for the late lawmaker and criticised the government over what he described as unfulfilled promises to the family and residents.
The former Deputy President also used the visit to rally residents behind the opposition, arguing that the South Rift had not received sufficient development despite supporting Ruto in the 2022 presidential election.
Ruto’s development agenda
Unlike Gachagua’s largely political tour, Ruto’s visit is centred on the launch and commissioning of government projects in Emurua Dikirr and the wider Narok region.
Among the projects lined up are the Mamboleo and Dikirr modern markets under the Economic Stimulus Programme, the Mogondo-Esoit road, Johanna Ngeno University in Ololmasani Ward and the Transmara Kenya Medical Training College at Kurangurik.
The Mamboleo and Dikirr markets are expected to provide trading space for more than 500 traders who currently operate along roadsides.
Residents have also asked the President to address longstanding concerns over insecurity, land disputes and healthcare, including calls to fully equip Emurua Dikirr Level 4 Hospital.
A closely watched political battleground
The President’s visit comes months after a closely contested Emurua Dikirr parliamentary by-election that provided an early indication of the political battle between Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Gachagua’s DCP.
UDA candidate David Kipsang Keter won the election with 18,266 votes, while DCP candidate Vincent Rotich secured 10,760 votes.
The result gave the ruling party victory but also demonstrated that Gachagua could attract significant support in the constituency.
Gachagua’s visit therefore carried political significance beyond a routine constituency tour.
His decision to campaign in an area where Ruto-backed candidate had won was widely viewed as part of his effort to expand his influence beyond his traditional Mt Kenya base.
The President’s return to the constituency days later has consequently prompted questions over whether the two political camps are beginning to compete more directly for influence in the South Rift.
