Ground Shifts In Mt Kenya As Ruto-Kindiki Told Which 3 Politicians The Residents Favours Most

A fierce political battle to control votes in the Eastern Mt. Kenya region has emerged as five political factions position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.

According to 2022 IEBC statistics, the region has approximately 1.7 million voters, a figure expected to rise to 2.5 million by 2027.

The factions are aligned with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, Jubilee politician Fred Matiang’i, Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru, and former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku said the plan aims to fight political marginalization in the region while also giving Eastern residents bargaining power politically without depending on Western Mt. Kenya.

“If Gachagua appears politically stronger, we in the East will not follow him. We will remain in the East under Kindiki’s leadership,” said Ruku.

However, political analysts warn that the strategy could weaken Professor Kindiki nationally by making him appear as a regional leader rather than a national politician.

A major challenge for Kindiki is that other leaders within the broad-based government from the Coast, Western, and Nyanza regions are also competing to become President William Ruto’s running mate in 2027.

Gachagua said all these plans are intended to divide Mt. Kenya votes so that the region does not vote as a bloc against President Ruto.

“This is not a battle between East and West. The government is funding this division. All forces opposing Ruto must unite behind one opposition candidate,” Gachagua said in Kajiado last week.

Political analyst John Okumu says that the leaders currently seen as strongest are Kindiki, Gachagua, and Kawira Mwangaza.

“Kindiki has a strong advantage as Deputy President, but he appears afraid to unite Mt. Kenya as one political bloc. Gachagua appears politically ahead, while Mwangaza is trying to expand her influence beyond the East,” said Okumu.

Another analyst, Malila Munywoki, said the Eastern Mt. Kenya battle could be even more dangerous for President Ruto because many leaders there oppose his re-election.

“When you examine Gachagua, Matiang’i, and Mwangaza, all of them oppose Ruto. That shows the President could face a very difficult time in 2027, and Kindiki will be the first casualty,” said Munywoki.