Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has reignited the debate over the political dynamics between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West after declaring that leaders from the eastern region do not require the support of the western side to secure President William Ruto’s re-election.

Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, Ruku claimed that the Mt Kenya East region commands enough numbers to guarantee President Ruto a second term in office.

He argued that the region’s estimated two million votes are sufficient without relying on support from the Kikuyu community’s western side.

“Our two million votes are enough, without asking for the Kikuyu vote, to make sure William Ruto is re-elected,” Ruku said.

The Cabinet Secretary further revealed what he described as the region’s long-term political agenda, saying that after ensuring President Ruto’s victory in the next general election, attention would shift to supporting Deputy President Kithure Kindiki’s presidential ambitions.

“In 2028, we shall have begun the journey of Kithure Kindiki becoming the President of Kenya because we also need to be on the resource-sharing side, not always on the receiving side,” he added.

Ruku, Meru is behind Ruto.

This comes days after the former MP claimed that a large majority of voters in Meru County will support President William Ruto in the 2027 general election.

Speaking during a local television interview on Sunday, June 15, 2026, Ruku said support for the president in the region remains strong and predicted a decisive victory in the area.

“Wananchi wa kona hii si wajinga. 70 per cent ya watu wa Meru wataamka asubuhi waseme mtoto yao ni Kindiki, rais wao ni William Ruto, na wapigie William Ruto kura turudi,” he said.

Ruku has also in the past criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and a section of leaders from the Mt Kenya West region, accusing them of intimidating and sidelining communities from Mt Kenya East for political gain.

Ruku noted that some leaders from Mt Kenya West have historically used Mt Kenya East as a political stepping stone during election periods, only to abandon the region after securing power and return when the next elections approach.

Calls for regional unity focus

The CS said Mt Kenya East – comprising Meru, Isiolo, Tharaka Nithi, Embu, and Kirinyaga counties – must chart its own political and economic path. He argued that development projects undertaken in Mt Kenya West should not automatically be portrayed as benefits to the entire Mt Kenya region.

“It cannot be that whenever projects are implemented in Mt Kenya West, there is a narrative being pushed by Gachagua and his allies that Mt Kenya East has equally benefited,” Ruku said.