Francis Wambugu Irungu Following his party’s victory in the Mbeere North by-election on November 27, President William Ruto has unveiled an ambitious political strategy to split the unified Mt Kenya voting bloc into three separate entities.
This calculated move, driven by carefully positioned allies, seeks to reshape regional loyalties and neutralize opposition in the critical vote-rich area, ensuring a stronger path to re-election in 2027.
Political insiders reveal that the plan gained momentum after the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose influence lingers strongly in parts of the region.
By dividing Mt Kenya, Ruto aims to weaken coordinated resistance and consolidate support where it matters most, without expending resources on hostile territories.
At the heart of this strategy is Mt Kenya East, encompassing Meru, Tharaka-Nithi, and Embu counties. The recent triumph of UDA candidate Leonard Wamuthende over opposition-backed Newton Karish in Mbeere North has emboldened Ruto’s camp, interpreting it as a clear endorsement of the President’s leadership amid ongoing tensions.
The boldest public declaration came on December 14 during a church service at Full Gospel Churches of Kenya in Kangaru, Manyatta constituency, Embu County. Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku urged residents to reject calls to turn against Ruto, accusing Gachagua of orchestrating a hate campaign.
He castigated the longstanding “Mt Kenya basket agenda,” which he claimed has marginalized the East’s unique economic and political needs for years.
“We cannot allow ourselves to be consumed in a political pocket moving forward. Mt Kenya East must stand firm and protect its own political and economic interests,” Ruku asserted. Pointing to Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki as evidence of the region’s national stature, he added, “We will divide the Mountain if we must. Mt Kenya East will stand alone. The East will have its own title deed.”
Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire reinforced this stance at the same event, warning that Mt Kenya East would forge its own path if broader politics failed to serve its people.
“I want to echo the words of CS Ruku. If need be, as Mt Kenya East, we shall chart our own political path moving forward. We will not be dragged into politics that do not serve our people,” she declared.
This synchronized messaging signals a coordinated effort to rally the East behind Ruto.
In contrast, Mt Kenya West, comprising Nyeri, Nyandarua, Kirinyaga, and Murang’a counties, remains a tough nut to crack. These areas have stayed largely loyal to Gachagua post-impeachment, viewing Ruto’s administration with suspicion.
Insiders describe it as a “Red Zone,” where direct engagement risks minimal gains and high political costs. Ruto’s team has opted for a hands-off approach here, focusing instead on peeling away sympathetic pockets elsewhere to dilute overall opposition strength.
Kiambu County stands as the strategy’s wildcard, boasting over 1.5 million voters and immense strategic value. National Assembly Majority Leader and Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichung’wa has been at the forefront, promoting the idea of Kiambu breaking away from the Mt Kenya umbrella to assert its independence.
Ruto has underscored this priority with back-to-back visits since the Mbeere win, including a Sunday church event in Gatundu North. These outings reassure local leaders and voters that Kiambu remains central to his vision, fostering a sense of ownership and priority.
This tripartite division,East as a loyal base, West as contested ground to bypass, and Kiambu as a powerhouse ally, reflects pragmatic vote calculus rather than total conquest. By empowering regional kingpins like Ruku, Mbarire, Ichung’wa, and Kindiki, Ruto positions himself as the unifying national figure for fragmented groups.
For Mt Kenya residents, the rhetoric raises questions about development equity and whether “splitting the mountain” will deliver tangible benefits like infrastructure, jobs, and services, or merely serve electoral math. As pretrial hearings and by-elections unfold, this strategy could redefine Kenya’s political geography, with eyes on how Gachagua loyalists counter.
