MERU, Kenya — Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Ex-DP Rigathi Gachagua of undermining the political commitment the Mt Kenya region made to support President William Ruto for two constitutional terms, saying their actions risk portraying the community as one that does not honour its promises.
Speaking after attending Sunday Mass at St. Joseph’s Catholic Cathedral in Meru Town, Ruku said leaders from the Mt Kenya region had previously campaigned across the country urging Kenyans to support an arrangement in which Uhuru would serve his constitutionally permitted two terms before handing over to Ruto for a similar 10-year tenure.
He questioned why some of the same leaders were now, in his view, mobilising opposition against the President before the end of his first term.
“They went across the country asking Kenyans to support this arrangement. Why are they now making the people of Mt Kenya appear as though they cannot honour a promise they made before the nation?” Ruku said.
The Cabinet Secretary accused Uhuru and Gachagua of advancing what he described as false claims that the Kenya Kwanza administration had neglected the Mt Kenya region, arguing that such narratives were intended to fuel political divisions and serve individual political interests rather than address development concerns.
Ruku also criticised Gachagua over his political fallout with the Kenya Kwanza administration, saying the former Deputy President was attempting to transform his personal political challenges into a regional issue.
According to Ruku, Gachagua’s removal from office was a constitutional process undertaken by Parliament and should not be used to create political divisions within the Mt Kenya region.
He maintained that President Ruto continues to enjoy strong support in Mt Kenya East and insisted the Head of State has no dispute with the wider Mt Kenya region.
The Cabinet Secretary further argued that the region remains well represented in government, saying several of the country’s key ministries, state departments and senior public offices are headed by leaders drawn from Mt Kenya West.
Ruku also accused Gachagua and some political leaders from Mt Kenya West of persistently attacking Deputy President Kithure Kindiki while encouraging residents to distance themselves from the Kenya Kwanza administration.
He described such political attacks as divisive and reiterated that leaders from Mt Kenya East would continue backing President Ruto’s administration.
“Mt Kenya East will remain in government. We shall continue supporting President Ruto because our priority is development, unity and ensuring our people benefit from government programmes,” he said.
The Cabinet Secretary defended the government’s development record, saying President Ruto had continued implementing projects across the country, including in parts of Mt Kenya East that he said had previously experienced neglect.
He referenced data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics (KNBS) to support his argument that development was reaching historically underserved areas, although he did not provide specific figures.
Ruku urged residents to reject leaders he accused of pursuing personal political interests through misinformation, expressing confidence that the Mt Kenya region would back President Ruto’s bid for re-election in the 2027 General Election.
His remarks come amid heightened political activity across the Mt Kenya region, where both government and opposition leaders have intensified campaigns and grassroots engagements ahead of the 2027 polls.
