As President William Ruto works both publicly and behind the scenes to craft his 2027 re-election strategy, Mt Kenya—once his strongest bastion—has emerged as his toughest battleground.
President William Ruto is staring at an uphill task in Mt Kenya, the region that handed him a resounding 87 per cent of its votes in 2022 and delivered his narrow win over Raila Odinga.
Today, however, discontent is rife, rebellion is loud, and political analysts warn that the Mountain, long considered Kenya’s most decisive voting bloc, may no longer be firmly in his corner.
“With the raging rebellion by the region’s voters, Ruto will have to sweat for support,” says political analyst Herman Manyora.
The fallout began with his surprise political handshake with Mr Odinga, the passage of new taxes, and, most explosively, the impeachment of his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, last October. Now, 10 issues stand out as thorns in the President’s path back to State House.
1. Cast as the Bogeyman
Mr Gachagua has branded Dr Ruto as the betrayer of Mt Kenya—accusing him of bringing in Mr Odinga to spite the region before engineering his impeachment. Many residents appear convinced. “Mt Kenya is opposing Dr Ruto because he is not from their region,” says Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek.
2. Weak Surrogates
Dr Ruto has scaled back personal visits to the Mountain, instead deploying loyalists such as CS Kithure Kindiki and Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri. But as Prof Peter Kagwanja warns: “It is a case of uncertain leaders campaigning for an uncertain President.”
3. Betrayal by Former Insiders
Once-trusted allies like Mr Gachagua, ex-Attorney-General Justin Muturi and former CS Mithika Linturi are now fierce critics, leveraging their insider knowledge to damage Ruto’s brand. “Too many former state officers are betraying their oath of secrecy,” lamented Prime CS Musalia Mudavadi.
4. Uhuru Kenyatta’s Shadow
Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s 2022 warning—that Mt Kenya would regret choosing Ruto—has returned to haunt him. Today, disillusioned Ruto supporters echo Uhuru’s words, giving fresh momentum to the opposition.
5. Uncouth Talk from Allies
From vulgar remarks to dismissive rhetoric, some of Ruto’s lieutenants have antagonised voters. Nyeri Archbishop Anthony Muheria has decried “reckless talk instead of tackling real priorities.”
6. Raila Phobia
Mt Kenya has long resisted Mr Odinga. Bringing him into government was seen as a betrayal. “He carried himself with overconfidence in a region that carried him to State House,” notes political scientist Festus Wangwe.
7. Taxation Sting
Business elites have turned against Ruto, accusing his regime of a “wild appetite for taxes.” Kanene Kabiru of Rwathia Distributors warns that crippling levies are stifling investment and driving layoffs—resentment that trickles down to voters.
8. Unfulfilled Economic Charters
CS William Kabogo recently admitted the government’s Achilles heel: “We told people there would be money in their pockets, but we are yet to deliver.” Elders call it empty tokenism; the government insists the promises will be met.
9. Spendthrift in Scarcity
Flashy spending, token handouts, and poorly structured empowerment schemes—some beneficiaries walking away with just KES 64—have made many question the President’s priorities.
10. Power Hangover
Having produced three of Kenya’s past presidents, Mt Kenya voters appear restless without one of their own in power. Uhuru himself said it bluntly in 2022: “Mt Kenya is not the only region that can lead the country.”
The Road Ahead
For President Ruto, Mt Kenya remains both a prize and a problem. Once his launchpad to State House, the Mountain is now a minefield of anger, betrayal and unmet expectations.
Whether his charm offensive can reverse the tide—or whether the region delivers a shock in 2027—remains one of Kenya’s biggest political questions.
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