Nyeri County Governor Mutahi Kahiga on Saturday, April 5, 2025, joined President William Ruto again, as the head of state conducted an inspection tour of the Ruring’u Affordable Housing Project in Nyeri Town.

Speaking at the event, Governor Kahiga commended Ruto for initiating various development projects in the region, such as the revival of a stadium within Nyeri town that he says had stalled for seven years and the ongoing Ruring’u Affordable Housing Project.

He further told the president that based on his previous record when he used to frequent the Central Kenya region while serving as the country’s second in command, he still has 45 more visits to make.

Kahiga argued that the residents have always benefited whenever President Ruto is in the region.

“Your Excellency the president, na naibu wako, na viongozi wengine ambao wamekuja siku ya leo, sisi kama watu wa Nyeri tunawakaribisha hapa kwa mikono miwili. Your Excellency, tumefurahi umekuja, lakini tukiangalia rekodi yako, umebakisha mara ingine 45 ya kuja hapa kwa sababu tuko na rekodi ya vile ulikuwa unakuja, na ukija tumepata mambo.

“Kama stadium hii miaka saba ilikuwa imekwama, asante sana, wewe umekuja kuikwamua. Tukiangalia hapa nyuma yetu, affordable housing inaendelea; pale Field Marshal, soko inaendelea. Sisi tunakuomba uzidi kurudi, sasa tunaweka tiki, imebaki mara arubaini na tano,” Kahiga said.

Kahiga on Ruto’s tour

This comes just days after Kahiga, a key ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, claimed that President Ruto is no longer the Mt Kenya region’s kingpin, citing a loss of support due to recent decisions.

Speaking at a Council of Governors media engagement in Nairobi ahead of the August 12 Devolution Conference, Kahiga said Ruto’s warm reception was driven by development projects, not unwavering political backing.

Kahiga also claimed that he had only joined Ruto during his tour of Nyeri on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, in his capacity as the hosting governor, and that people should not read too much into the event.

Money gains

According to him, the residents were happy after reaping from the mobilisation money that was said to have been distributed ahead of Ruto’s tour, terming the money as bonuses from the head of state.

“Tunafurahi kwa sababu Rais amekuja, na wiki hii imekuwa nzuri kwa sababu tumepata marupurupu. Tungetaka awe akiendelea kuja kwa sababu akija, marupurupu yanapatikana na tuna furaha,” he said, maintaining that Ruto’s visit was not going to influence the decision of the Mt Kenya people.

“Lakini mwito ni ule ule, tuko pale pale. Hata yeye anajua uchangamfu uliokuweko mwanzo na ule uliokuwa wakati huu ni tofauti. Rais ni kingpin wa Kenya, lakini sio kingpin wa mlima. Mlima una wenyewe.”

Kahiga on rejoining Ruto

However, he had indicated that he would still join Ruto today, Saturday, April 5, 2025, in Nyeri and Othaya, but only in his capacity as the governor.

“I have noted frenzied interest in my attendance at the President’s functions in Kieni. Do not read too much into this photo and others shared all over. The presidency must be respected. The governor of Nyeri received the president of the Republic of Kenya in Nyeri, Kieni Constituency. The Governor of Nyeri will still receive the President of the Republic of Kenya on Saturday in both Nyeri Town and Othaya Constituencies on Saturday.

“Ni lazima kutofautishana mambo!” Governor Kahiga stated.