President William Ruto has toured the Mt. Kenya region weeks after his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, was ousted and replaced by Kithure Kindiki. President William Ruto visited the Mt. Kenya region days after Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment and the swearing-in of Kithure Kindiki as deputy president. What did Ruto tell Mt.Kenya people? In an apparent bid to revive his popularity in the Mt. Kenya region after Gachagua’s ouster, Ruto attended the 20th-anniversary celebration of the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in Laikipia.
At the event, Ruto urged leaders across the country to promote national unity within their jurisdictions. He stated that this approach would support the goals and agenda needed to advance the country and help it move forward. “I would like to urge all leaders, let us work together so we can fulfill the goals that we have as a country. Also, so that we can fulfil the agenda that are going to propel the country forward,” Ruto said.
Several Mt. Kenya leaders attended the event, including Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, who appeared to criticise Gachagua’s Mt. Kenya-centered politics. “Your excellency, we cannot afford to be discriminated against, to discriminate ourselves, to set ourselves against other communities. We know that we live in Kenya. We don’t know tribalism, and that is why we stepped forward when we were required to do so and condemned tribalism,” Kiunjuri said
Laikipia West MP Sarah Korere stated that the county has no place for tribalism or division among citizens. “We rejected those who were advocating for tribal politics in the country. That’s why we came out in broad daylight to say that we won’t accept tribal politics,” Korere affirmed, At the event, political leaders who were once close allies of Gachagua, including Laikipia senator John Kinyua, appeared to shift their stance.
Kinyua publicly apologised for voting against Gachagua’s ouster, admitting he made a mistake and expressing regret. “Your excellency, tripping is not falling. Sometimes, people sometimes trip and end up choosing the wrong path,” Kinyua said. Gachagua says Ruto will seek Mt Kenya’s support in 2027 Ruto’s visit to Mt. Kenya comes days after Gachagua claimed the head of state would campaign for votes in the region ahead of the 2027 general election.
He further stated that there is no bad blood between him and Ruto despite his recent political challenges. He said he wants to give the president space to fulfil the mandate he received from Kenyans before returning to seek support for his re-election in 2027.
by Faith Chandianya