Kapseret Member of Parliament Oscar Sudi has said that voters from the Mt Kenya region played the main role in electing President William Ruto in the 2022 General Election. He made the remarks on Saturday, June 20, 2026, during a public rally at Njenga Karume Senior School in Molo Sub-county.

Sudi asked residents in Molo to reflect on how Ruto won the presidency and who voted for him.

“Alafu mimi nataka niwaulize swali watu wa Molo ndio nikienda nyumbani niende na hiyo majibu. Mimi niwaulize swali; ndio William Ruto akuwe rais wa Kenya, ni nani ndio walimpigia kura? Tuseme ukweli. Si ni watu wa mlima?” he said.

He argued that Mt Kenya voters were central to Ruto’s victory and questioned current criticism directed at the president.

Sudi told the crowd that voters should think carefully about their choices and avoid turning against leaders too quickly after elections.

“Sasa wewe nikuulize, wewe umeamka asubuhi, umeenda umepigia William Ruto kura. Alafu baada ya mwaka mbili, mtu fulani anakuambia huyu mtu hafai, na wewe kwanza hujafaidika na ile kura ulipiga,” he said.

He added that it was unfair for people to reject a leader just two years into a term before seeing full benefits of their vote.

Sudi insisted that political honesty was necessary in Kenya’s democracy and called on leaders and citizens to acknowledge electoral realities.

“Na ndio msimamo yangu ni hii na nataka kusema nikiwa hapa Molo, leo. Unajua watu wengi wanaambiaga William Ruto ooh unajua hawa Wakikuyu, unajua hawa watu wa mlima. Mimi nataka nitangaze nikiwa hapa Molo, na Kenya mzima isikie; kama si watu wa mlima William Ruto hangekuwa rais wa Kenya. Na hiyo ni ukweli lazima tuambiane,” Sudi said.

His statement directly linked Ruto’s presidency to the Mt Kenya voting bloc, a region that has remained politically influential in national elections.

Sudi defends Ruto

The MP also dismissed the idea that any Kenyan president serves only one term. He warned against political narratives that encourage early rejection of elected leaders.

“Na mimi nataka tena niwaombe ndugu zangu, msifungiwe nje kwa sababu ya watu hawaendi mahali. Hakuna rais anaendaga term moja taifa la Kenya,” he said.

Sudi further urged voters who supported Ruto in 2022 to remain patient and allow time for government projects and promises to be delivered.

“Na ndio unaskianga nikisema hiyo kura tutajaza na nyinyi ndio mtajaza nyinyi mmekaa hapa,” he added.

He also praised President Ruto’s continued engagement with the Mt Kenya region despite criticism from some political opponents.

“Na uzuri wa William Ruto, nataka nimpee shukrani zake pia. Ata kando na hii kelele yote ya kina Wamunyoro, bado anafanya kazi kwa mlima kwa sababu anajua ndio hakue na kiti ni watu wa mlima walimpatia kiti,” Sudi said.

Sudi’s remarks come at a time when political realignments are increasing ahead of the 2027 General Election. Mt Kenya remains one of the most important voting regions in Kenya due to its large population and historical influence on national results.

Gachagua challenges Ruto support

However, opposition voices from the region have sharply disputed claims of Ruto’s dominance. One of his key critics, DCP Party leader and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has previously dismissed suggestions that the president retains strong backing in Mt Kenya.

Speaking during a rally in Kirinyaga County, Gachagua warned that Ruto’s support in the region was waning, claiming the president would struggle to secure even a small share of votes there.

“If you get 5% of Mt Kenya votes, I’m not man enough,” he said, challenging Ruto’s political standing in the region and asserting his own influence in the Central Highlands.

Gachagua also accused Ruto of mishandling key sectors such as coffee farming and urged the President to directly engage Mt Kenya voters instead of criticising regional leaders from outside the area.