Ruto’s Biggest Regret: Why He’s Avoiding Mount Kenya.
It has become evident that President William Ruto is reluctant to visit the Mount Kenya region, despite having toured other parts of Kenya extensively. In 2022, he devoted six days a week to Mount Kenya, allocating only a single day for the rest of the country. However, since the impeachment, he has completely avoided the region. His last attempt, which involved attending a function in Embu, ended in disaster.
One of the main reasons Ruto is avoiding Mount Kenya is the hostile political environment. The people in the region feel betrayed by his leadership. He had assumed that impeaching Rigathi Gachagua would be a simple matter and that the region would quickly forget. However, this has not been the case. The political landscape remains heated, and many residents believe Ruto has deceived them. Given the rising resentment, the president knows he risks being heckled if he visits.
A strong sentiment of betrayal lingers in Mount Kenya. During his campaign, Ruto promised economic prosperity and assured them that their challenges would end with the removal of Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga’s influence. However, after securing victory, Ruto brought Raila into the government, making him a key political figure. This has angered Mount Kenya voters, who now see Ruto’s move as a massive betrayal.
Adding to their frustration, leaders they elected, such as Ndindi Nyoro, are being sidelined. Voters were urged to reject Raila, only for Ruto to later embrace him. The economic pledges he made, especially regarding taxes and business support, have also failed to materialize. With the region still feeling abandoned, Ruto cannot confidently visit without facing backlash.
Mount Kenya’s Political Value in 2027
The political importance of Mount Kenya in the next election cannot be ignored. If elections were held today, Ruto would struggle to secure even 20% of the region’s votes, despite receiving 87% in 2022. Acknowledging this reality, Ruto seems to have accepted that he has lost Mount Kenya’s support and is shifting his focus elsewhere.
In 2022, he spent significant time campaigning in the region, believing he had solid backing. However, the current feeling of betrayal and resentment makes it clear that his strategy backfired. Unlike before, Ruto is now investing his political efforts in other areas, including Rift Valley, Western, and the Coastal region, to compensate for his dwindling support in Mount Kenya.
Another factor keeping Ruto away is that he has exhausted all possible promises to Mount Kenya residents. Between 2017 and 2022, he visited frequently, making countless pledges. Unlike other regions where he can still introduce new projects, the people of Mount Kenya no longer wish to hear more promises. They are demanding results instead. Ruto’s inability to deliver tangible benefits has further eroded his credibility in the region.
Politics is inherently local, and Ruto is facing resistance even among leaders who once supported him. Many Mount Kenya MPs, who initially backed him, are now hesitant to host him in their constituencies. Some fear losing their seats due to the backlash from their voters. The impeachment fallout has made it even riskier for them to be associated with Ruto.
Several leaders have not even visited their constituencies since the impeachment. They understand that bringing Ruto to their regions would only worsen their standing among the electorate. This political reality has made it difficult for Ruto to find allies willing to welcome him back to the mountain.
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Is Ruto Being Undermined from Within?
A critical question arises: Is Deputy President Kithure Kindiki using key figures in Mount Kenya to undermine Ruto? As the political dynamics shift, there seems to be a strategic push to sideline the president in the region. The growing discontent, coupled with local leaders distancing themselves from him, suggests that powerful forces within his own administration may be working against him.
For now, Mount Kenya remains a hostile territory for Ruto, and unless he finds a way to address the deep-seated grievances of the people, his influence in the region will continue to wane. The coming months will be crucial in determining whether he can reclaim Mount Kenya’s trust or if he will permanently lose his grip on this once-loyal voting bloc.
Ruto’s Biggest Regret: Why He’s Avoiding Mount Kenya
