The ongoing political events in the Mount Kenya region indicate that the area has found itself back at the crossroads of the early multi-party political system that emerged in the early 1990s.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has successfully captured the political spotlight in the region, effectively denying President William Ruto the support of Mount Kenya as the country heads toward the 2027 elections.

Mount Kenya has never been in a political position quite like it is now since 2002, a year when the region experienced a significant political shift, backing different parties in each subsequent election cycle – in 2007, 2013, 2017, and 2022.

Just this past weekend, two key political events took place in Murang’a County, where residents openly rejected speeches from the Deputy President, Professor Kithure Kindiki, during the funeral of a former councilor.

Former Public Service Minister Moses Kuria was booed and prevented from speaking, and even President Ruto’s speech was rejected, with the family receiving it instead due to the strong opposition from the locals.

On Sunday, a large crowd attended a massive political rally in Ihura Stadium, where citizens openly showed their support for Gachagua.

This event mirrored what happened a week earlier in Embu County, where President Ruto was jeered during the installation of a Catholic bishop.

Embu Governor Mbarire found herself in a difficult situation after criticizing the heckling of the president, as the people of Mount Kenya East made it clear that they stood behind Gachagua.

The political defiance witnessed in the region can be traced back to the time when the Mount Kenya region revolted against President Daniel arap Moi’s leadership, following Mwai Kibaki’s withdrawal from the government in 1988 and Kenneth Matiba’s subsequent shift to the opposition.

During the multi-party struggle, the entire Mount Kenya region rallied behind Kenneth Matiba, who worked with other key political figures such as Charles Rubia, Mwai Kibaki, Kiraitu Murungi, and Gitobu Imanyara.

However, there were also politicians who supported the government of the day, including J. J. Kamotho, Joshua Angaine, and Njenga Karume, who were aligned with the ruling party.

Gachagua has managed to position himself much like Matiba did back in the day, with Professor Kindiki, who now occupies a similar position to Kamotho and Karume, being labeled as a traitor by those who once considered him an ally.

Politics in Mount Kenya is often driven by personal grievances rather than policies or hard work by leaders. Currently, the region’s discontent stems from Gachagua’s sidelining within the administration and the unfulfilled promises of development from the government.

In the 2013 elections, Mount Kenya voters rallied to prevent opposition leader Raila Odinga from gaining power while Uhuru Kenyatta was facing charges at the International Criminal Court.

In 2022, they voted to punish both Uhuru and Raila, who had formed a political alliance. In 2007 and 2017, the focus was on staying in power, while in 1992 and 1997, the drive was to gain political authority.

As the 2027 elections approach, it is highly likely that Mount Kenya voters will seek to punish President Ruto, and it is clear that the political path that Gachagua chooses will be the one that the region embraces.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.