Nyeri town, Mathira most frequented by Ruto

Nyeri Town and Mathira are the most frequented constituencies in Nyeri county by the Deputy President, despite opposition from MP Ngunjiri Wambugu.

Ngunjiri is the Nyeri Town MP. 

DP William Ruto has visited Nyeri about eight times since the 2017 elections. He has been to Mathira and Nyeri Town three times each, Kieni twice, and once each in Mukurweini and Tetu. He has yet to visit Othaya.

His visit to Kamwenja Teachers' Training College last Friday was the latest in Nyeri Town since November 11.

Ngunjiri often criticises Ruto and his allies for engaging in early 2022 succession politics, instead of focusing on services and development projects.

In Ruto’s recent visits, politicians accompanying him have not been allowed to address the public, raising questions. In his last visit, for instance, only Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Deputy Governor Caroline Karugu addressed wananchi. 

Speakers also now steer away from politics. This is a departure from the norm, where all politicians in attendance are given a chance to speak.

Ngunjiri skipped last Friday's event, where Ruto was the chief guest at the institution's graduation ceremony. He later told the Star that he was launching bursary application.

“But I was also struggling with how the DP’s allies are busy insulting and disrespecting the President directly. They are also inciting people from the Kalenjin community with false narratives of victimhood on the fight against corruption, claiming it’s meant to fight the DP and his allies,” Ngunjiri said.

“This is 100 per cent false. The DP hasn’t corrected this false perception being sold by his allies. In fact, he seems to be encouraging it when he says the corruption fight should not be ‘selective’.”

Many believe by not allowing MPs to speak, Ruto has tactfully been avoiding rubbing Ngunjiri the wrong way.

Ngunjiri has attended two of the three events Ruto has been to in Nyeri Town—on November 11 last year and March 2.

Ngunjiri says politics tends to be driven by the local MP. “As Nyeri MP I do not do politics in meetings like the ones the DP attends, so the cue flows to others who attend.” e said.

Kahiga, and MPs James Gichuhi (Tetu), Rigathi Gachagua (Mathira), Gichuki Mugambi (Othaya) and Rahab Mukami (Nyeri Woman Rep) were present at Kamwenja.

Only Chinga MCA Kiruga Thuku attended. The other 42 MCAs, including Muthoni Kuruga, in whose ward the institution is located, stayed away. Kuruga did not respond to our calls and message.

Ruto’s first visit in the constituency was on November 11 last year, when he flagged off Dr Wahome Gakuru Memorial Half Marathon at Ruring'u Stadium. He later proceeded to Newlife Church.

At the church, Ngunjiri avoided politics and dwelt on development achieved by the government before inviting Kahiga, who in turn invited his deputy before Ruto spoke. The DP said MPs and senators were denied a chance to address the public to avoid political disagreements.

Migori Governor Okoth Obado was also present. In the afternoon, the team headed for Kangaita PCEA, in Tetu constituency, for a Sunday Service and funds drive, where the stage was open for all.

On March 2 during the national Lenten campaign at Our Lady of Consolata Catholic Church grounds, only Wambugu spoke before inviting Kahiga, his deputy and Ruto.

National leaders present who addressed the meeting included former vice presidents Kalonzo Musyoka and Musalia Mudavadi, and Public Service CS Margaret Kobia.

James Gatama, a keen observer of the area's politics, said by skipping the Kamwenja event without apologies, the MCAs, like Wambugu, could be distancing themselves from the DP and his allies’ succession politics.

“This is a clear indication that they lack the courage to oppose the Deputy President. The same applies to the senator [Ephraim Maina] who has of late kept off the events,” he said.

“They have realised that the writing's on the wall.” Gatama thinks the politicians could be afraid of offending the President, who has opposed early campaigns.

But Gachagua, a close ally of Ruto, said the marathon and the Newlife Church visit were detours. The main function was in Tetu. Allowing politicians to speak during Lenten, he said, would have been unfair and ruined the function.

“The meeting in Nyeri was a very serious church function and I don’t think a church function is where you want to give politicians a chance to speak,” Gachagua said.

He said MCAs were attending a seminar at Kenyatta University, hence, their absence at Kamwenja. They have been attending all other events, he said.

Gachagua urged Kenyans to stop reading mischief in everything said at the graduation.