Inside Ruto’s renewed push to woo Mt Kenya ahead of 2027

By Newsflash Writer

President William Ruto has intensified efforts to court the vote-rich Mt Kenya region as he positions himself for the 2027 General Election, rolling out a strategy anchored on development projects, inclusivity and strengthened grassroots political structures.

The President addressed thousands of leaders at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County, on Saturday, January 17, meeting more than 17,000 delegates, the majority of whom were recently elected United Democratic Alliance (UDA) officials.

He pledged to complete projects started under former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s administration while accelerating initiatives launched by his own government.

Political reassurance

Dr Ruto dismissed assertions that the region had been marginalised following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on October 8, 2024. He announced fresh allocations for infrastructure, including Sh4 billion for 700 kilometres of Mau Mau roads, an additional Sh2 billion for a new 500km road network, and Sh1 billion for the upgrading of Nyeri County Referral Hospital.

He urged Mt Kenya residents to move away from ethnic-driven politics, saying the broad-based government formed with the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) was meant to foster unity and ensure equitable distribution of resources. He also rejected claims by Mr Gachagua that the region was being short-changed under his administration, saying development was being spread fairly across the country.

President William Ruto at Sagana State Lodge on 17/1/2026. Photo/PCS

The President’s renewed charm offensive includes assigning Deputy President Kithure Kindiki the task of consolidating gains made by the government in the region. UDA has also drawn confidence from recent electoral success after Leo Wa Muthende clinched the Mbeere North by-election on November 27, 2025.

Addressing party leaders, Dr Ruto said narratives portraying Mt Kenya as isolated were misleading, noting that his administration was focused on expanding the national economy so that all regions could benefit. He said the government would work closely with local leaders to agree on priority roads and projects to ensure fairness in resource allocation.

Appeal to long-standing ties

The Sagana meeting brought together 11,480 officials elected during UDA polls in Nyeri last week, alongside MPs, MCAs, community elders and church leaders. Dr Ruto reflected on his long political association with the region, dating back to his tenure as Agriculture minister under former President Mwai Kibaki and later as deputy to retired President Uhuru Kenyatta in the Jubilee administration.

He told leaders that his relationship with Mt Kenya had been built over decades through shared development initiatives, church projects and infrastructure investments, adding that calls to block him from a second term were misguided. He assured residents that political noise would not weaken his commitment to the region, insisting that his partnership with Mt Kenya was firm and enduring.

The President urged the region to support him as he deepens cooperation with ODM, saying negotiations with the party’s former leader Raila Odinga led to the formation of a broad-based government aimed at national cohesion. Raila died in India while receiving treatment on October 15, 2025.

Looking ahead to 2027, Dr Ruto said he was confident that more Kenyans, including those who did not back him in 2022, would rally behind his leadership. He appealed to Mt Kenya voters to avoid a return to divisive politics, arguing that their support in the last election helped break long-standing ethnic barriers and set the country on a path toward unity.

He defended the Housing Levy, saying the programme was already delivering results despite early criticism. According to the President, the initiative has created jobs for about 500,000 young people and delivered 240,000 housing units nationwide.

Dr Ruto also highlighted reforms at the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), saying changes to contribution laws had boosted savings from Sh312 billion in 2023 to Sh670 billion within two years. He said the growing fund would reduce reliance on external borrowing, with reserves projected to surpass Sh1 trillion by 2027.

Mixed reactions

Earlier, Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi said the Sagana meeting followed the President’s recent tour of Nyeri, where he attended a church service in Othaya and launched the regional Nyota Youth Programme covering Nyeri, Nyandarua, Murang’a and Kirinyaga counties. He said the President was encouraged by the warm reception from residents, including in Karatina town, considered Mr Gachagua’s political stronghold.

Mr Wamumbi said residents responded positively to visible projects, including a newly built market, progress on the Kenol–Marua dual carriageway, and ongoing affordable housing developments, contrasting them with what he termed empty political rhetoric.

Despite the renewed outreach, opposition leaders remain sceptical, dismissing Dr Ruto’s efforts to win back Mt Kenya support and insisting that no amount of persuasion would change their position against his leadership.