Ruto faced challenges managing reactions at late Ol Kalou MP’s requiem mass – Erick Okeyo
By Kiprono Keileb, April 9, 2026Security and governance expert Erick Okeyo has analyzed President William Ruto’s interactions with the public during the requiem mass of the late Olkalau MP David Njugua on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
In a statement made during a talk show hosted by a local television station on Wednesday, April 8, 2026, Okeyo said the President had to persevere in listening to sentiments made by leaders, including Nyandarua Senator John Methu, noting that statements made during the mass exposed underlying frustrations and local political consequences.
“I sympathise with the president persevering to listen to what was being said by Senator John Methu. John Methu was speaking about what people wanted to listen to. That part of Kenya appears to have slipped out of the president,” he stated.
Okeyo further stated that advisers around the President were giving him false assurances about his control in the region, noting that former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment had political consequences for him.
Those around him are lying to him that it is still there for him; we saw it clearly that the impeachment of Rigathi Gachagua had consequences for the president in that region and not only in Ol Kalau but also the entire Mt Kenya,” he stated.
Okeyo noted that the reactions of attendees extended beyond Olkalau, pointing out a wider regional response to political developments that shape how leaders are received. He further warned that Mt Kenya is highly sensitive to political shifts, and leaders must engage carefully with voters to maintain trust and accurately read public sentiment.
“This part of Kenya has been particularly sensitive to political shifts, and leaders must engage carefully with residents to maintain confidence and avoid misreading public sentiment,” Okeyo said.
Okeyo further stressed that advisers around the president must ensure that accurate information from the ground reaches national figures, rather than filtered or incomplete reports that can distort the situation.