Ngunjiri Wambugu states Mt Kenya needs strategy, not ‘Wantam’ vs ‘Tutam’ politics
By Mabonga Makhanu, September 18, 2025Former Nyeri Member of Parliament (MP) Ngunjiri Wambugu has stated that the Mount Kenya region needs a clear strategy and not politics centred around WanTam versus Tutam.
In a statement released on his social media pages on Thursday, September 18, 2025, the former lawmaker said Gachagua wants to indoctrinate the region to believe that Ruto is WanTam. A
According to him, this would mean Ruto will continue serving as Head of State, Head of Government, and Commander-in-Chief of the Defence Forces for another two years. However, he noted that Gachagua has no plan on how the Mt Kenya region will benefit during this period.
He argued that Gachagua only wants people to focus on the fact that he was fired, and therefore, Ruto must also be fired. Meanwhile, several leaders from the region are still working in Ruto’s government, and the president continues to collect taxes from the people of Mt Kenya even in the WanTam period.
He posed the question of how the community can ensure they secure development gains, however little, during this time.
“This would mean Ruto will continue to be Head of State and Government and Commander-in-Chief of Kenya’s Defence Forces for another 2 years. However – as I have often stated – I have a problem with the fact that Gachagua has no plan on how we benefit – as a region – during this WanTam period,” Wambugu stated in a statement on Thursday, September 18, 2025.
He further observed that politics is unpredictable and that despite Gachagua’s efforts, it is possible Ruto will become Tutam. He questioned what space Mt Kenya would have in such a scenario and whether the community is expected to endure seven years – two now and five later – without a clear plan.
Clear roadmap
He challenged intellectuals from the region to come up with a strategic roadmap to guarantee that Mt Kenya benefits under either outcome, whether in Plan A with Ruto as WanTam or Plan B with Ruto as Tutam.
“This is politics, and anything is possible. So it’s also very possible that despite all of Gachagua’s efforts, Ruto will be tutam.
What’s our space in such a scenario? Or are we supposed to #KaaNgumu for 7 years, 2 now and 5 later? Where are the intellectuals in our community to create for us a strategic plan that tells us how to ensure our region benefits?” Wambugu added.