• The president toured Mt Kenya from Saturday to Wednesday this week.
• During the trip he commissioned a number of development projects and held talks with leaders.
Image: PCS
President William Ruto's Mt Kenya allies have termed his five-day tour a major successes that affirmed his grip on the region.
The President completed his visit of Mt Kenya on Wednesday. He commissioned several projects and held talks with leaders from the region.
Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru said Ruto's trip demonstrated an outpouring of affection, appreciation, and attention by the people of Mt Kenya.
"After a period of choreographed challenges to his administration's progressive agenda, and unsubstantiated claims of a loss of support for the President, the people of the mountain came out in unprecedented numbers to make a most current declaration; that they long embraced President Ruto, they strongly support his leadership, and they will unwaveringly stand with him," she told the Star.
The governor said that the region's assessment of Ruto's performance as President, "despite very extreme political circumstances, gives him a bold A-plus on his scorecard".
There were claims that growing concerns over delayed promises and restiveness over private talks with opposition leader Raila Odinga forced Ruto to pitch tent in Mt Kenya for the five days.
The President had reportedly planned to tour the region in September but the political anxiety triggered by his July 28 meeting with Raila forced a change of plan.
Critics observed that the tour sought to allay fears of Ruto's political deal with Raila, especially after they secretly met for private talks.
East African Legislative Assembly (EALA) member Kanini Kega said Ruto's trip confirmed that he is the 'king' of the mountain, a year after the general elections.
The ex-Kieni MP rubbished what he termed as misplaced claims that Ruto had lost control of Mt Kenya, saying the President used the tour to "further strengthen his foothold".
"From what I saw as we traversed Mt Kenya, the President is strong and becoming even stronger," Kega told the Star on Thursday.
Kega said with the President enjoying the support of his former critics and rivals, his popularity in Mt Kenya would be unparalleled.
"Now that the people who never supported him are on his side, the President is so strong in Mt Kenya," the MP said.
Kega backed Azimio leader Raila Odinga who lost to President Ruto in the 2022 presidential polls.
The MP led a section of Jubilee MPs, including nominated MP Sabina Chege, who in February declared their support for Ruto's administration.
On Thursday, Chege also lauded Ruto for visiting the region.
"The President's trip was very successful and an eyeopener of servant leadership. The one-on-one interaction with Wanjiku was good," she told the Star.
The former Murang'a Woman Representative aggressively campaigned for Raila in the last election.
She dismissed claims by critics that the President was losing grip on the mountain, saying the head of state is firmly in charge of the region.
Chege said the President's decision to take up incomplete projects and finish them would be the masterstroke that will dwarf critics.
"It is one year and the beauty of it is that he has started to complete the projects that the previous government didn't complete," Chege said.
Kega lauded Ruto for upgrading Naromoru hospital to a level 4 facility, saying it would transform health services in Kieni.
"Kieni did not have a level 4 hospital despite making up over 45 per cent of Nyeri county," he said.
The MP also said the extension of the duo carriageway to Nyeri would be a game-changer for the region.
"Without the extension, Nyeri town would die a natural death," he said.
During his trip, Ruto emphasised on the minimum returns for cash crops, water, roads and other economic issues as he moved to reassure the region.
The Kenya Kwanza fortunes in the vast region had also faced threats from the opposition's aggressive anti-government protests over the high cost of living.
Raila had made some efforts to tour the region with some key Mt Kenya figures in the opposition in a bid to capitalise on the clamour against the high cost of living to dent Ruto's foothold.