When President William Ruto orchestrated the political downfall of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, many believed it would be the beginning of his rejection in Mount Kenya.
The impeachment saga angered Gachagua’s allies, who saw it as a betrayal and a move to weaken the region’s political influence in government. However, despite the uproar, the truth remains that Ruto still enjoys significant support in Mount Kenya.
His connection with the people runs deeper than the recent political storm, and while his image has taken a hit in some quarters, he still has the opportunity to restore the goodwill he once enjoyed.
Politics is a game of perception, and Mount Kenya voters are known to be pragmatic. While some may sympathize with Gachagua, their political decisions are often driven by interests rather than emotions.
Many people in the region still see Ruto as a leader who stood with them when they needed a political home after Uhuru Kenyatta aligned himself with Raila Odinga in 2018. During that time, Ruto actively positioned himself as the defender of Mount Kenya’s economic and political interests.
He attended their harambees, visited their churches, and even spoke their language, both figuratively and literally.
He became part of their political identity, branding himself as the “hustler” who understood their struggles. It is this connection that propelled him to the presidency, with Mount Kenya delivering the bulk of his votes in the 2022 election.
The impeachment of Gachagua has created political uncertainty in the region, with some feeling that Ruto is sidelining their leadership.
However, Gachagua was never universally accepted as the ultimate kingpin of Mount Kenya.
While he had a strong backing in Nyeri and parts of Murang’a, his abrasive style of politics created divisions within the region.
Some leaders saw him as too focused on regional politics at the expense of national leadership, while others believed his “shareholding” rhetoric was isolating Mount Kenya from the rest of the country.
This division means that while his impeachment angered some, it did not automatically translate to widespread resentment against Ruto. Many people are still watching to see how the president handles the situation moving forward.
What Ruto needs to do now is simple—rekindle the past good moments and activate the ground once again. His greatest strength has always been his ability to connect with the ordinary citizen.
He must go back to the people, engage them directly, and assure them that their interests are still at the core of his government. He must remind them of why they embraced him in the first place and demonstrate that their economic concerns remain a priority.
One of the biggest grievances among Mount Kenya voters today is the rising cost of living and high taxation, which has made business operations difficult for traders.
If Ruto addresses these concerns by reducing tax burdens and revitalizing the Hustler Fund to support small businesses, he will quickly regain trust.
Beyond economic issues, Ruto must also rebuild his political alliances within the region. The fallout with Gachagua created a vacuum that new leaders like Ndindi Nyoro, Moses Kuria, and Kiharu MP candidates are trying to fill.
If he strategically aligns himself with fresh leadership while ensuring the government remains inclusive of Mount Kenya interests, the people will feel represented and secure in his administration.
His appointments in key government positions must reflect the region’s importance to his presidency, reinforcing the idea that their votes were not in vain.
Public perception is everything in politics. If Ruto allows the betrayal narrative to dominate without countering it, he risks losing a section of his support base.
He must take control of the story and highlight the tangible developments that his administration is delivering in the region.
His political opponents, including those within Kenya Kwanza, are working hard to paint him as ungrateful to Mount Kenya voters.
If he does not move swiftly to neutralize this message, he could find himself in a difficult position as 2027 approaches. A well-crafted charm offensive, focused on engagement, reassurance, and tangible action, will be key to solidifying his position.
Ruto still holds a place in the hearts of many Mount Kenya voters, but he cannot afford to take their support for granted.
The goodwill he built over the years is not entirely lost; it just needs to be reignited. The people need to see him not as a distant president focused on political maneuvers in Nairobi, but as the same leader who once stood with them in their moments of political uncertainty.
A smile, a listening ear, and decisive action will be enough to repair the cracks that have formed.
If Ruto plays his cards right, Mount Kenya will remain firmly in his corner—not out of blind loyalty, but because he will have convinced them that he is still their best bet for the future.
