Ruto issues a Surprising Warning to Mt Kenya Leaders

President William Ruto, on January 23, appealed to Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro and other aspiring young politicians vying to become the Mt. Kenya kingpin to exercise caution. Ruto urged them to accept mentorship from elder politicians before engaging in leadership battles.

While seemingly aligning with his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto stopped short of explicitly endorsing Gachagua as his running mate in 2027, leaving room for interpretation.

Emphasizing mentorship, Ruto stated, “Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and I said that we would mentor these young men. They should go slow while we are mentoring them because if they go too fast, they will spoil things. Relax, do not be in a hurry.”

Ruto clarified that neither he nor his Deputy President intended to antagonize emerging leaders, emphasizing a commitment to nurturing political talent. Notably, a faction of Mt. Kenya leaders, led by Senator Joe Nyutu and MP Edward Muriu, openly endorsed Ndindi Nyoro as Ruto’s potential running mate in 2027.

This development follows the President’s choice of Rigathi Gachagua as his running mate in the August 2022 general election, opting for Gachagua over Interior CS Kithure Kindiki.

Addressing the brewing tensions between Gachagua and other Mt. Kenya leaders, Kindiki cautioned against dragging his name into discussions about future elections, deeming such talk tactless and detrimental to democracy’s maturity.

Gachagua, attributing the push for Ndindi Nyoro to divisive motives, urged young politicians to remain calm. He asserted, “Nobody is planning to take someone else’s position. These young men should relax.”

The dynamics within the ruling party are gaining attention, with various leaders positioning themselves for future roles, and the President’s plea for mentorship underscores the importance of a unified and cohesive political strategy in the region.

As the political landscape evolves, these statements from President Ruto, Gachagua, and Kindiki provide insight into the internal dynamics and power struggles within the political arena, particularly in the context of the Mt. Kenya region’s influence in shaping the nation’s political future.