President William Ruto
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President William Ruto's recent six-day tour of the Mt. Kenya region was strategically curated to mitigate potential public dissent amid rising tensions with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whose regional influence has been growing.
Sources familiar with the tour's planning reveal that specific potentially volatile locales were intentionally excluded from the itinerary. The tour took place against a backdrop of increasing political friction between President Ruto and Gachagua, a dynamic that has raised concerns about regional support for the president. According to political analysts, the carefully planned schedule aimed to primarily engage with supportive segments of the population.
Several constituencies initially slated for inclusion, particularly in Nyeri, Murang’a, Laikipia, and Embu counties, were removed after being identified as possible flashpoints. Notably absent from the itinerary was the Mathira constituency in Nyeri County, an area that overwhelmingly supported Ruto in the 2022 elections. Despite prior indications of a planned visit and references to development projects, such as the Karatina fresh produce market, the constituency was bypassed.
In Nyeri and Othaya towns, while MP Eric Wamumbi accompanied the President, he was prevented from addressing gatherings, a move speculated to be a precaution against potential public humiliation. This decision followed an incident in Olkalau, Nyandarua County, where National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah faced heckling. Similar disruptions occurred in Kiambu, where Woman Representative Ann Muratha was jeered during public appearances.
The tour commenced in Laikipia County, leveraging the influence of local political figures known for their ability to mobilize support. Furthermore, President Ruto avoided visiting projects that had not received government funding, likely to sidestep potential embarrassment over stalled initiatives. In Laikipia West, he skipped a scheduled inspection of the County Aggregation and Industrial Park (CAIP) in Rumuruti, leaving residents who had gathered in anticipation disappointed.
The project, launched in September 2023 with promises of completion within six months, has been stalled due to funding shortfalls. Laikipia County allocated Sh180 million to the CAIP, but the national government reportedly failed to provide its pledged share, resulting in sporadic compensation for workers. In Nanyuki, President Ruto’s activities were confined to a limited area, avoiding the town’s main stage—a decision viewed by some as an acknowledgement of diminishing grassroots support. Stephen Wangai, a local businessman, remarks that confident local MPs would have organized visits to larger, more accessible spaces to engage with ordinary citizens.
Other areas excluded from the President’s itinerary included Gichugu and Kirinyaga Central, strongholds of opposition figure Martha Karua, and Manyatta in Embu, the constituency of critic Gitonga Mukunji. Professor Gitile Naituli of Multimedia University suggests the tour served as a learning experience for Dr Ruto, underscoring the need to reevaluate his political approach in the region.