Kalonzo ringfences Ukambani as Ruto plans counter attack

By Newsflash Team

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki has embarked on a high-stakes political offensive in the Ukambani region, a perceived stronghold of Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, spending three consecutive days traversing the area.

This coincided with a parallel campaign by the opposition, led by Mr Musyoka and former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, bringing renewed national attention to the region’s 1.7 million voters.

The opposition bloc is rallying around the goal of ousting President William Ruto and ensuring he serves only one term. They argue that under Ruto’s administration, the Ukambani region has been neglected and the country burdened with worsening economic conditions. “Ruto has sent MPs here with loads of money to try and buy your support. Take the money—it’s your taxes—but reject them at the ballot,” Mr Musyoka told various rallies along the Nairobi-Mombasa highway before taking the campaign to the Coast on Saturday.

Gov’t offers sweeteners

On the government’s side, Prof Kindiki and the Kenya Kwanza team are offering economic incentives such as youth and women empowerment programs.

With the backing of youthful MPs aligned to President Ruto, Kindiki is trying to position himself as having roots in Kitui County, where he was born before his family moved to Tharaka Nithi.

Ruto-loyal MPs including Vincent Musyoka Kawaya (Mwala), Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West), Rachael Nyamai (Kitui South), Nimrod Mbai (Kitui East), and Caleb Mule (Machakos Town) have been tasked with countering the opposition’s presence.

At Saturday’s rally, Prof Kindiki dismissed Gachagua’s push for a one-term presidency as misguided. “Leaders should focus on service, not political predictions. Only God knows the future. What matters is what we do now for Kenyans,” he said during a rally in Machakos.

Kindiki was accompanied by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, National Assembly Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro, and a dozen other MPs. The current political friction intensified after Kalonzo Musyoka hosted opposition leaders, including Mr Gachagua, in Tseikuru, where they pledged unity against Ruto’s re-election bid.

Tension in the region

Tensions rose after some Mount Kenya leaders subtly hinted they were not searching for a new presidential candidate for 2027. Former Cabinet Secretaries Justin Muturi, Mithika Linturi, and Peter Munya revealed that the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru, and Akamba (Gema) communities would unite behind a candidate from Mount Kenya South—referring to Mr Musyoka’s Ukambani base. They affirmed that their proximity and shared interests with the Akamba people made Kalonzo Musyoka a natural choice for the presidency.

Mr Muturi said grassroots consultations were already underway to forge a political alliance that would front Mr Musyoka as the Gema bloc’s joint candidate in 2027. “The Akamba will be integrated into the rejuvenated Gema bloc, and together we will back a single presidential candidate to defeat Ruto,” he said.

Former Attorney General Muturi noted that Mr Musyoka had proven himself a reliable ally of the Mount Kenya region. Mr Gachagua echoed the sentiment, expressing gratitude for Kalonzo’s support during his impeachment saga.

He recalled that in 2007, when Raila Odinga joined forces with Ruto to challenge President Mwai Kibaki, it was Kalonzo who stood by Kibaki and the Mount Kenya region. “Now, as Odinga aligns with Ruto to target leaders from our region despite the votes he got here, it is Kalonzo who once again stands with us,” Gachagua said.