President Ruto: My Bond with Mt Kenya is Unshakable

President William Ruto has affirmed his strong ties with the Mt Kenya region, telling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) leaders that efforts to weaken his alliance with the area will fail.

Speaking to over 17,000 newly elected polling centre officials at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County, Ruto insisted that his relationship with the region remains firm despite rising internal tensions within UDA. He said: “Anyone who thinks he will break the friendship that I have established with the people of Mt Kenya region is day-dreaming,” adding that he will continue to work with the community regardless of political pressures.

The remarks come amid growing strain with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has criticised Ruto for not prioritising Mt Kenya’s interests. Gachagua argued that the region’s support in the 2022 elections should not be taken for granted, warning that loyalty is not automatic. While Ruto did not mention Gachagua by name, his comments were widely seen as addressing the criticism.

At the gathering, Ruto called for unity and restraint in politics, rejecting what he described as “noises, threats, abuses, arrogance or tribalism.” He emphasised that development requires cooperation across communities and regions, not divisive rhetoric.

Ruto also used the event to outline plans for restructuring UDA, presenting it as a national movement built to endure beyond a single election cycle. He said the party aims to champion Kenya’s long-term transformation agenda in partnership with other political groups across the country.

Defending his administration’s record, Ruto highlighted progress under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, including investments in infrastructure, industrialisation, agriculture, healthcare, and job creation. He argued these initiatives show steady progress towards a more productive economy and reaffirmed his goal of advancing Kenya to first-world status through strategic investment and human capital development.