President William Ruto’s recent tour of the Mt Kenya region served as a litmus test following his falling-out with key regional leaders, particularly after the ouster of his former deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, last year.

Gachagua’s removal sparked outrage among residents who felt betrayed, causing divisions among local leaders.

Despite Ruto’s claims of maintaining a firm grip on the region, he faced near-hostile receptions in Nyandarua, Embu, Tharaka Nithi, and Kiambu counties, where some of his supporters were booed and heckled.

However, the president secured a significant ally when Maragua MP Mary Waithira, previously aligned with Gachagua, shifted her support to Ruto.

Time to deliver

Waithira acknowledged her previous position as a misstep and offered to support the  President. She encouraged her constituents to give Ruto time to deliver on promised development projects before judging his re-election prospects.

Similarly, Kangema MP Peter Kihungi had earlier abandoned Gachagua’s camp, explaining the need to align with the government to ensure continued development for his constituents.

However, leaders in the opposing faction maintained their distance. Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga clarified that his presence during Ruto’s visit was merely protocol, not a sign of shifting allegiance.

Residents’ enthusiasm for the President, he said, had diminished significantly, and their reception was appreciation for development projects rather than political support. Kahiga emphasised that Ruto is not the region’s kingpin but rather the national leader as head of State.

Skips Kiharu

Notably, the President skipped Kiharu constituency despite claiming good relations with area MP Ndindi Nyoro following the latter’s removal from the chairmanship of the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, once Ruto’s ally but now Gachagua’s supporter, was absent from the tour.

Before the visit, Muriu had warned the President against mentioning Gachagua or non-supportive leaders, noting that the pain of “betrayal” was still raw. He claimed no new government projects had been initiated and promised ones remained unfulfilled.

Similarly, Irungu Nyakera, removed as KICC board chair after skipping the President’s regional tour, dismissed Ruto’s visit as full of empty promises, adding that the region has its own potential kingpins, and Ruto cannot impose himself as one because he is not a native.