Bundalangi MP Raphael Wanjala explains why it is hard to buy Mt Kenya loyalty
By David Nthua, November 19, 2025Bundalangi Member of Parliament Raphael Wanjala has cautioned President William Ruto against trying to buy Mt Kenya loyalty.
Speaking during an interview with one of the local TV stations on Tuesday, November 18, 2025, Wanjala warned the government that things would not be easy in the Mbeere North by-election despite the distribution of state goodies.
He drew a parallel to the former and late President Daniel arap Moi’s experience in the Kipipiri by-election in 1994, noting that the strategy failed then and could still fail now.
Wanjala said the government often uses different avenues to try to secure victory.
“Serikali ina mbinu ya kuhakikisha ya kwamba imechukua ushindi kwa njia mingi. Goodies ndio ufanya watu wabadirike,” he noted, suggesting that state resources are sometimes deployed to sway voters during by-elections.
However, he cautioned that a by-election cannot be compared to a general election due to what he termed as unpredictable political dynamics.
“Sometimes, byelection hauwezi kuipeg kwa ile election inakuja, general election kwa sababu inakuanga predicarment mingi,” he said.
Wanjala went further to address voting patterns in the Mt Kenya region, saying many outsiders misunderstand the area’s political behaviour.
“Tumeona wakikuyu, unajua sisi hatujui tofauti ya mbeere na wakikuyu,” he noted, pointing out that people often lump communities together without understanding local realities.
Wanjala revisits the 1994 Kipipiri by-election
He recalled the 1994 Kipipiri by-election, then led by the Leader of the Majority, saying even with heavy state involvement, the outcome did not favour the government.
“Mwaka ingine hapa Kiambu, kulikua na byelection… Tuliona Moi akienda uko na vikingi vya stima lakini akashindwa still, tuliona wakibeba hizo vikingi wakirudisha,” Wanjala stated.
The MP said this demonstrated that Mt Kenya voters are not easily swayed by material handouts.
“Mimi nina imani ya kwamba, wakikuyu si rahisi kuwanunua kwa sababu sisi tunaamini ni watu wanajiweza,” he remarked, adding that the government could still lose even after distributing many items.
He concluded by insisting that while the government may attempt to influence the upcoming Mbeere North mini poll, the final outcome will depend on the people’s will.
“Serikali inaweza enda uko na vitu mingi na upate bado hawajashida,” he said.