President William Ruto is facing a political test in the Mt Kenya region as he returns without five of his key allies who played a major role in his 2022 election victory.
The absence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, former Cabinet Secretaries Moses Kuria, Justin Muturi, Mithika Linturi, and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro raises questions about how Ruto will navigate the region’s politics without them.
Gachagua, who was Ruto’s running mate due to his perceived ability to mobilize grassroots support, was impeached last year amid accusations of tribalism and incompetence.
During the election campaigns, Gachagua positioned himself as a fierce critic of former President Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, portraying them as out of touch with the region’s needs.
His efforts played a role in rallying support for Ruto, but with his removal from office, his influence has diminished, and he has been left out of Ruto’s current political plans.
According to a report by The Standard, Gachagua’s absence has created a vacuum in Ruto’s Mt Kenya strategy, especially as Raila Odinga takes on a more prominent role in government.
Justin Muturi was once a trusted ally of Ruto and served as Attorney General and later as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service. Muturi, who was formerly a close political associate of Uhuru, switched allegiance to Ruto before the election, accusing Uhuru of dictatorial tendencies.
However, his relationship with Ruto deteriorated, and he was sacked last week. His removal signals a shift in Ruto’s strategy in Mt Kenya, as Muturi had been a valuable asset in consolidating support.Mithika Linturi, who was rewarded with the Agriculture docket, also fell out with Ruto. Linturi faced legal troubles before the election, but Ruto defended him, arguing that the cases were politically motivated.
Last year, Linturi found himself in the spotlight again due to a controversial fertilizer scandal. While Ruto initially stood by him, he later removed him from the Cabinet without explanation. Linturi has since admitted that he regrets trusting Ruto without securing a formal political agreement.
Moses Kuria, who was once a vocal defender of Ruto, also saw his fortunes decline. After serving in the Trade Ministry and later being moved to Public Service, he was finally sacked during the Finance Bill protests.
Despite his current role as an economic advisor, Kuria has been excluded from Ruto’s Mt Kenya tour, signaling his reduced influence.Ndindi Nyoro, once seen as Ruto’s political protégé, has also been sidelined.
He was removed from his position as Chair of the National Assembly’s Budget and Appropriations Committee. Nyoro recently revealed that he has not spoken to Ruto since October last year, showing a clear rift between the two.
Political analysts argue that Ruto’s fallout with these five figures exposes a broader pattern in Kenyan politics where loyalty is often temporary.
The absence of these influential leaders may affect Ruto’s ability to rally support in Mt Kenya, especially as he faces pressure from within his administration and growing discontent from the public.
As he embarks on this political tour, it remains to be seen whether his current allies will be enough to maintain his grip on the region or if the loss of these key figures will weaken his influence.
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