CS Ruku Insists Ruto Still Commands Support in Mt Kenya Ahead of 2027

Public Service, Human Capital Development and Special Programmes Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has maintained that President William Ruto continues to enjoy significant political support in the Mt Kenya region despite growing opposition voices and political realignments ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Ruku has repeatedly dismissed claims that the Kenya Kwanza administration has lost the region, arguing that political disagreements involving individual leaders should not be interpreted as a collective decision by Mt Kenya voters to abandon President Ruto.

The Cabinet Secretary has particularly challenged the growing influence of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who has positioned himself as a key voice in the region’s emerging opposition politics.

According to Ruku, the political differences between Ruto and Gachagua should not be turned into a broader confrontation between the President and the Mt Kenya community.

He has accused Gachagua and his allies of attempting to use regional politics to mobilise residents against the government, while insisting that voters will ultimately make their own decisions based on development and national leadership.

Ruku’s position comes at a time when Mt Kenya has emerged as one of the most closely watched political regions ahead of the 2027 elections. The region played a critical role in Ruto’s victory in 2022, but relations between the President and sections of the community have since become increasingly strained.

The former Deputy President has repeatedly criticised the Ruto administration and sought to consolidate support through his Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP). His political activities have raised questions over whether the region could shift away from the President in the next election.

However, Ruku has maintained that the political picture is more complicated than the opposition narrative suggests.

He has also sought to draw a distinction between Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West, arguing that the eastern side of the region has made a deliberate decision to remain within the government and support Ruto and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.

Ruku has described Kindiki as an important political figure for Mt Kenya East and argued that the region should use its position in government to pursue development and strengthen its influence nationally.

The Cabinet Secretary has also rejected the argument that recent electoral outcomes automatically demonstrate that the entire Mt Kenya region has abandoned Ruto.

Following the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, Ruku dismissed suggestions that the result represented a wider political rejection of the Kenya Kwanza administration. He argued that a single electoral contest could not be used to determine the political direction of an entire region.

Ruku has instead pointed to government development programmes as one of the key factors that could influence voters in 2027. He has maintained that residents should judge the administration by projects being implemented in their communities rather than political rhetoric.

The CS has cited investments in roads, electricity connectivity, water infrastructure and other public programmes while defending the g