Inside Ruto’s major fightback against former DP Gachagua

President William Ruto has mounted an aggressive pushback against his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua’s assertions of a grand scheme to sideline Mt Kenya politically.

The President continued with his charm offensive of the vote-rich region for the third day with high-profile development launches.

He crisscrossed Nyandarua and Murang’a counties yesterday, coming a day after he rallied Nyeri, Kirinyaga and Meru counties.

The President has been combining the launches, strategic appointments and emotional appeals to disprove the marginalisation narrative.

Ruto unveiled electricity connectivity targeting thousands of households in a carefully choreographed display of government might.

He said the region would also benefit immensely from the 400 modern markets Kenya Kwanza intends to build across the country.

Most crucially, Ruto addressed the region’s economic backbone, promising to “liberate” dairy, tea, coffee and miraa farmers from cartels.

“How can a region contributing 30 per cent of GDP towards national development be isolated?” Ruto posed. The President has framed his partnership with the region as ‘a 20-year alliance’ which he says is unbreakable, dismissing ‘weekend politicians peddling division’ in the country.

“We’re not just bringing light to homes, we’re illuminating the path to economic transformation,” Ruto said at a rally in Ol Kalou.

The tangible projects are designed to counter perceptions of neglect, amid a careful balance of appointments to maintain Mt Kenya’s influence in government.

The President, apart from naming Kithure Kindiki as DP, has simultaneously made key appointments favouring Mt Kenya professionals and bigwigs.

Former Laikipia governor Ndiritu Muriithi was named KRA chairman so was Mwangi wa Iria to the Agricultural Development Corporation. In recent Cabinet changes, the President retained Cabinet Secretaries Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), William Kabogo (ICT) and Lee Kinyanjui (Trade).

Ruto also picked Mbeere North Geoffrey Ruku to replace Justin Muturi who was sacked as Public Service Cabinet Secretary.

Principal Secretaries who were said to be linked to the impeached deputy president were also retained in the recent changes.

At the various stops, the head of state paraded the region’s professionals who are holding plum jobs in the Kenya Kwanza administration.

PSs Joseph Mbugua (Roads), Elijah Mwangi (Sports), Alex Wachira (Energy), Mary Muthoni (Health) and Patrick Mariru (Defence) were showcased.

The officers were tasked with the completion of roads, schools, markets and stadia as Ruto framed himself as the guardian of Mt Kenya interests.

“Let me not come back to Murang’a and be told that there is no stadium,” the President told PS Mwangi.

Cabinet Secretaries from the region were also granted a chance to address the locals who turned up for the rallies, with pledges to fix the woes.

Tourism CS Rebecca Miano, Eric Mugaa (Water) and Alice Wahome (Lands) gave assurances to deliver the pledges bordering on their mandates.

Ruto also paraded Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, also a scion of the region, in an attempt to kill the negative connotations.

Kanja’s appearance at a rally in Kieni has drawn sharp reactions, especially from civil society groups. In the stops, Ruto assured the region of his continued support saying there was no way he could abandon a region that propelled him to power.

“I respect you (Mt Kenya people) because it is your votes that made me president of Kenya [in the 2022 elections],” Ruto said. He was accompanied by Kindiki, Cabinet Secretaries, MPs, governors and other leaders.

The President reiterated he would work with all leaders regardless of their counties of origin saying the country had no room for petty politics.

“I will come back here to ensure the roads, electricity, water and market projects are complete,” Ruto assured, showcasing dairy and coffee sector reforms. Ahead of the President’s tour, Gachagua went on a tirade against his former boss accusing him of sidelining the region.

The ex-DP claimed that Mt Kenya was done with Ruto after he joined forces with ODM leader Raila Odinga. Gachagua controversially claimed that some forces were working to diminish central Kenya’s political influence.

But Ruto rebuffed the assertions, saying he needed no one to help him reach out to Mt Kenya voters for 2027 support.

He argued the ties spanning over two decades cannot be broken overnight by the ‘retrogressive political forces’.

“My job as a leader is to unite everyone because unity is strength. I will ensure no part of Kenya is left behind,” the head of state said.

Political analyst Herman Manyora noted that the President is playing ‘counter perception politics’. “He is using tangible projects to counter perception politics while quietly reorganising the region’s leadership structures,” he said.

Political commentator Macharia Munene said the tour was not about development projects but to woo the region back to Ruto’s fold.

“It is about demonstrating political respect to Kenya’s most influential voting bloc,” the USIU don said. Mt Kenya leaders said the reception accorded to the President indicated he still commanded popular support.

“The turnout during the visit is contrary to claims Mt Kenya had decamped to the opposition,” Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said. CS Wahome said, “The President understands what we all know. He has shown that he is still listening to us.”

DP Kindiki told off Kenya Kwanza detractors saying the head of state would serve Mt Kenya as he caters to other parts of the country.

“The President is here to serve, courtesy of the many votes you (Mt Kenya) gave him in the last election. He is presenting a progress report,” the DP said.

Mt Kenya’s political landscape is touted as headed for a shift which could leave Gachagua and his allies to rethink their next move.

Ruto’s critics have dismissed the tumultuous reception he received arguing that the crowds were mobilised, paid and briefed to cheer.

Majority leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who faced hostility at a stop in Nyandarua, said they were keen on delivering the poll pledges.

“The noise we want to hear is that of development. What we looked for when we campaigned was not to fight but for Mt Kenya to grow,” he said.