NYERI, Kenya — President William Ruto has moved to counter claims that his political support in the strategically crucial Mt Kenya region is waning, as the country edges closer to the 2027 General Election.
Speaking to supporters in Nyeri County on Thursday, President Ruto dismissed reports suggesting that political shifts and public criticism risk eroding his backing in the vote-rich region — a territory that was pivotal to his 2022 victory.
The remarks follow the widely noted appearance of former President Uhuru Kenyatta alongside former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at a funeral in Kirinyaga County, an event interpreted by some commentators as a thaw in political relations. During that gathering, Mr Kenyatta urged local residents to make “different political choices” going forward.
President Ruto, however, reiterated his commitment to ongoing engagement in Mt Kenya, asserting that criticism from political opponents would not derail his government’s developmental drive.
“Some people are making noise, thinking I will abandon the people who voted for me. Am I mad? That is not possible. They should look for something else to do,” he said.
Accusing opponents of deploying what he described as “propaganda and political rhetoric,” the President said such tactics would not alienate him from voters.
“Do they think they can intimidate me with street talk and propaganda? Claims of ‘must go’ and all that, I will face them head‑on right here,” he added.
In a clear appeal to performance over politicking, Ruto urged that leaders be judged by their delivery record.
“Everyone should be measured by their work. Let those who engage in insults be judged by their insults, those who thrive on drama by their theatrics, and leaders like me by the work we do.”
His comments come amid a flurry of political and policy developments across Kenya as national debates intensify ahead of the next election cycle.
President Ruto highlighted ongoing government initiatives in sectors such as agriculture, healthcare, and market reforms, describing them as evidence of tangible delivery to citizens.
Recent legislative action includes the signing of amendments to the Coffee Act 2023, aimed at reorganising the coffee sector, a key economic lifeline for many Mt Kenya farmers, and reallocating regulatory roles to enhance efficiency and competitiveness.
Healthcare reforms have also featured prominently in government messaging. At a separate event in Nairobi, Ruto defended the Social Health Authority (SHA) programme against critics, describing it as transformative and dismissing projected collapse claims from political opponents as unfounded.
During the AIPCA oil consecration ceremony in Nyeri, Ruto reiterated that his visits to the region are driven by development goals, not political maneuvering.
Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga publicly backed the President’s engagement, questioning detractors and emphasising the government’s focus on service delivery.
“For those asking why I am working with the President, I have answered them. The government is at work. How can we expect development when our job is to disrupt it?,” Kahiga said.
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The political climate in Kenya is evolving rapidly. Former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s recent remarks urging voters in Mt Kenya to remain vigilant against what he described as misleading political overtures have been widely covered.
Meanwhile, the opposition Azimio la Umoja coalition has announced leadership changes as part of its strategy moving into 2026 and 2027, with Stephen Kalonzo Musyoka appointed as party leader, a development analysts say could reshape electoral calculations.
Political rallies in Nairobi by youth groups highlight growing engagement ahead of the next general election, underscoring heightened civic participation and intensifying competition.
As Kenya prepares for the 2027 polls, President Ruto’s message to critics in the Mt Kenya region illustrates a broader strategy of doubling down on policy delivery and grassroots engagement.
Whether this approach will sustain his political appeal in a region long seen as a kingmaker remains central to the country’s unfolding political narrative.
