Ruto receives rousing reception in Mt. Kenya, slams Gachagua over divisive politics

President William Ruto has received a rousing reception on his first day of the weeklong tour of the Mt. Kenya region, with thousands of residents from Laikipia and Nyeri seemingly embracing his visit.

Hundreds of residents donning traditional Kikuyu regalia and civilian attire lined up, waiting for the president’s tour of the region, which kicked off Tuesday.

This is, despite months of rebellion from the region, occasioned by the removal from office of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

The president took the war to his former deputy’s doorstep in Nyeri County, where he promised to return the favour to the residents of Mt. Kenya for catapulting him to State House after he pitched camps in Kieni and Naromoru.

"Kura yenu ndiyo tumetumia kuunda serikali hii. Kwani nyinyi mnadhani mimi ni mwendawazimu nikasahau? Maneno ya Nyeri katika serikali hii, mtu wa kuulizwa namba moja ni mimi, na nitahakikisha barabara zenu lazima zijengwe, stima iwekwe, maji itengenezwe, soko ijengwe,” said Ruto.

His deputy, Prof. Kithure Kindiki said, "Kuna watu wengine kazi yao ni kuchochea wananchi kuanzia asubuhi mpaka mchana..."

The president who garnered close to 3 million votes from the vote-rich 10 counties of Mt. Kenya, accused his former deputy of planting the seeds of discord and tribalism.

"Na mtu asiwaambie sijui kuna njama ya kubagua sijui nani. Hii Kenya hakuna tena siasa itaendeshwa ya ubaguzi, ama chuki, ama ukabila, ama kutenga watu wengine,” he said.

Prof. Kindiki added, “Wale walikuwa wanani-advice waachane na mimi, I'm not available. Mimi niko kazi."

Some of the staunchest adherents of the former DP, including Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga and Kieni legislator Njoroge Wainaina, who rescinded his signature to eject Gachagua from office, hinted at jumping ship, promising to work with the administration.

"Tulikuwa tumekumiss kidogo... Tuliona haukuji, tukashindwa kwani kulikuwaje? Hii serikali si ni yetu? Sasa tukae tuangalie wengine wakikula?" Kahiga asked.

"Na sababu saa zingine mimi husema kama mbaya mbaya, leo nataka niseme amefanya vizuri kutuletea maendeleo."

MP Wainaina, added, “Mgeni njoo, mwenyeji apone… Mmetokea vile tulipangana juzi?"

Earlier, the president launched several projects in the two counties, including affordable housing projects, markets worth over a billion shillings, and a Ksh.720 million rural electrification project in Laikipia County.

He also pledged more connectivity to 10,000 households in Nyeri County.