President William Ruto is looking to secure opposition chief Raila Odinga’s political strongholds while maintaining support from the Mt Kenya region. This strategy follows backlash from Mt Kenya after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment, which Ruto is said to have backed.
With an eye on re-election, Ruto appears to be leveraging his alliance with Raila to rally support from regions where he performed poorly in the last presidential race, such as Nyanza, Coast, and Western Kenya. Raila is unlikely to run for president in 2027, as he is reportedly considering a top African Union role.
Ruto’s strategy was evident when he attended a church service in Uasin Gishu with a group that included pro-Raila lawmakers and Mt Kenya MPs, who pledged their support. Homa Bay MP Peter Kaluma and Migori Senator Eddy Oketch, both strong Raila allies, declared that they were aligned with Ruto’s administration to further unity.
Kaluma emphasized that Raila’s ODM is firmly behind the President, highlighting a unified agenda. He assured that ODM would continue to support Ruto, hinting that they may even facilitate Raila’s potential move to the African Union.
Migori Senator Oketch commended Ruto for making difficult decisions, including Gachagua’s impeachment, as steps toward national unity. He described the move as essential for building a stronger, cohesive nation.
Meanwhile, Mt Kenya MPs John Njunguna (Kiambaa), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North), and Dancan Mathenge (Nyeri Town) reaffirmed the region’s continued support for Ruto, despite the fallout over Gachagua. They stressed that Mt Kenya’s faith in the President remains strong, reflecting a bid to retain this crucial political base ahead of the next election.
