NYERI, Kenya- President William Ruto is currently hosting a high-level meeting with United Democratic Alliance (UDA) grassroots leaders from Nyeri County at Sagana State Lodge, marking a key step in the party’s political engagement in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region.
The gathering, taking place on Saturday at the state lodge located in Mathira constituency, Nyeri County, brings together local party officials, community mobilisers and regional representatives of UDA with the aim of deepening party unity and consulting on strategic priorities in the run‑up to forthcoming political activities.
President Ruto’s engagement with grassroots leaders at Sagana underscores his party’s renewed outreach efforts in Mt Kenya, a region that remains pivotal ahead of 2027 presidential elections.
The meeting forms part of a series of consultations that Ruto has scheduled with regional leaders to discuss development agendas and strengthen communication between national leadership and local party structures.
This includes focusing on transformative programmes under the government’s Bottom‑Up Economic Transformation Agenda and reinforcing support within the grassroots ranks.
The Sagana State Lodge meeting signals a coordinated drive by UDA leadership to engage supporters at the grassroots and galvanise party structures as political activity intensifies in key regions of Kenya.
Nyeri County UDA Grassroots Leaders’ Meeting, Sagana State Lodge x.com/i/broadcasts/1…
President Ruto’s political strategy in the Mt Kenya region has shifted significantly following his fallout with his former Deputy President, Rigathi Gachagua.
The two leaders, once allies who campaigned together in the 2022 general election, have become political rivals after Gachagua’s impeachment in October 2024.
Gachagua has since launched his own political party, DCP, which has huge following in the Mt Kenya region.
It is the region that gave the President a huge share of his votes.
Gachagua became the first Deputy President in Kenya’s history to be removed from office, with Parliament upholding several charges of misconduct.
President Ruto later acknowledged that he had supported and twice defended Gachagua against impeachment attempts, stressing that the decision was ultimately political and legal.
The rift has had major political consequences in Mt Kenya — historically one of the biggest vote‑rich regions in the country.
President William Ruto arrives at Sagana State Lodge, Nyeri, for a Mt Kenya grassroots leaders’ forum. He was received by Governor Mutahi Kahiga and National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wa, among other leaders.
Since his ouster, Gachagua has formed the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) and repositioned himself as a central figure in opposition politics, claiming the mantle of leadership for the region and even courting broader national alliances.
In recent speeches he has vowed to mobilise millions of Mt Kenya votes behind opposition candidates in the 2027 general election, signalling a significant political challenge to Ruto’s re‑election ambitions.
Gachagua’s critics, including some regional senators, have accused President Ruto of attempting to “buy off” or divide Mt Kenya’s leaders and voters through meetings, funding, and appointments.
They argue that such efforts won’t sway long‑term loyalty from his former deputy’s base.
Nyeri UDA grassroot leaders – drawn from all Polling Stations.
In response to these dynamics, President Ruto has stepped up direct engagement with voters and leaders across the region, visiting multiple counties, holding consultations with grassroots representatives and promoting government development projects.
He has publicly insisted that his connection with Mt Kenya is built on decades of engagement, not short‑term politics, and reiterated his commitment to the region’s development.
Political analysts view these outreach efforts, including meetings like the UDA grassroots leaders’ gathering at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County, as part of Ruto’s broader strategy to retain support in a region that was a key pillar of his 2022 election victory but has since become a contested political battleground ahead of 2027.
