President William Ruto is expected today to address over 18,000 grassroots leaders in Nyeri County, a move seen as efforts to restore support in the Mt Kenya region following Rigathi Gachagua's impeachment. The meeting at Sagana State Lodge will include newly elected UDA officials, MPs, and other residents. Ruto will update them on his government's progress.
President William Ruto returns to Nyeri County today to address a large gathering of grassroots leaders, aiming to restore support in the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 general elections. The event, expected to draw over 18,000 people, will take place at Sagana State Lodge and include 11,480 recently elected UDA officials from elections in 574 polling stations. Others are MPs, ward representatives, and about 7,000 residents including opinion leaders, religious figures, elders, and social groups.
This follows his visit last week, where he attended a service in Othaya and launched the Nyota youth program in Nyeri, Nyandarua, Murang’a, and Kirinyaga. Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi said Ruto was drawn by the warm reception from locals, and today he will discuss government steps toward 2022 promises, including road projects, agriculture vital to the local economy, water, education, and other infrastructure.
Support has waned since Gachagua's impeachment in October 2024, after which he accused Ruto of betrayal and began campaigns to undermine his backing. Mt Kenya provided 87% of Ruto's 2022 votes. To counter this, Ruto sent Deputy Kithure Kindiki to lead efforts, including winning the Mbeere North parliamentary seat on November 27, 2024.
Wamumbi stated UDA retains support, with residents recognizing the opposition lacks an alternative agenda. In Karatina, Gachagua's home area, Ruto received a strong welcome, launching a market, inspecting the 95% complete Kenol-Marua road, and evaluating affordable housing. "These are real projects residents can see, not empty words," Wamumbi said.
Ruto assured locals he will not abandon them, noting he built support over more than 20 years. However, the opposition believes these efforts will not sway opinion. Mukurweini MP John Kaguchia called the support artificial and bought with money, while DEP chair Titus Ntuchiu criticized the government for failing promises, excessive taxes, and high living costs.