In order to maintain the Mt. Kenya bloc, President William Ruto has hinted at a plan to inherit the political roots of opposition leader Raila Odinga.
The president’s action comes after Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s impeachment caused a reaction in Mount Kenya, which was formerly his main political pillar.
While maintaining his affiliations with Mount Kenya, Ruto is apparently using his newfound relationship with Raila Odinga to mobilize Nyanza and Coast and other strongholds behind him in a campaign clearly geared toward his re-election.
In the opposition leader’s strongholds, which include Coast, Western, and portions of Nairobi and North Eastern, Ruto, who ran against Raila in the most recent presidential election, did not fare well.
Given that he is pursuing a prominent position in the African Union that could take him off of the local scene, Raila is unlikely to run for president in 2027.
When Raila’s army and Mount Kenya MPs followed him to a church function on Sunday, Ruto’s plan came to life. They all promised to support him.
Alongside Raila’s staunch supporters, Senator Eddy Oketch of Migori and MP Peter Kaluma of Homa Bay Town, Ruto attended a mass at Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County.
“Even as I speak, His Excellency, I notice that some individuals continue to inquire, “Have these people really arrived?” “We are not going anywhere,” Kaluma stated.
MPs Dancan Mathenge (Nyeri Town), Geoffrey Ruku (Mbeere North), and John Njunguna (alias Kawanjiku) followed the head of state from Mount Kenya.
Gachagua said that Ruto approved of the Deputy President’s impeachment by Parliament two weeks ago. As Gachagua’s replacement, Ruto proposed Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, who is from the same area.
The National Assembly subsequently accepted his candidacy, but the expelled DP quickly filed a lawsuit and obtained orders preventing his replacement.
Even though the president avoided politics, it was clear from statements made by opposition MPs and those from Mount Kenya that he was eager to mobilize the region.
Interestingly, Kaluma referred to his colleagues as “MPs backing the broad-based government” when he presented them to the stage.
ODM is solidly in Ruto’s administration, Kaluma said to the crowd in his speech, adding that they are on board to support the President in establishing his agenda.
“I am here to remind you to show respect for the presidency. We searched for it, but we could not find anything there. We will assist you,” he said.
“We have travelled a wonderful distance to get here. I walked here from Sudan and Uganda. Currently, it should be easy to walk from Kisumu to Moiben. We are not going anywhere, Mr. President.”
Kaluma asked Ruto’s UDA soldiers for permission to use his powers to bring the country together.
” Given your impeccable track record, we humbly request that the President, before departing for Addis Ababa, ensure Baba is accompanied there. “Raila would turn us over as his offspring when you get to Homa Bay,” he said.
The senator from Migori echoed Kaluma’s comments, stating that the administration of Raila and ODM is in place to promote national unity.
Oketch said, “As ODM, we are here to foster and fortify the oneness that you and Baba brought together.”
“Unity is the greatest gift and the legacy that people in power can leave behind,” said the first-term legislator. Oketch applauded Ruto for taking the “hardest” step to bring the nation together, perhaps alluding to Gachagua’s removal as DP.
The burden of nationhood will fall on trustworthy stewards. Making the most difficult choices in life is the only way for trustworthy guardians to remain trustworthy.
He stated, “We have seen you make the most difficult choice to advance people who elected you and bring the country together.”
Despite Gachagua’s dismissal, MPs Mathenge, Kawanjiku, and Ruku maintained that Mount Kenya’s support for the President has not changed.
“We have not lost trust in you,” Mathenge said. “I have come here because we, the people from Nyeri and the Kikuyu, Embu, and Meru communities, chose you voluntarily and with faith.”
The MP was certain that Mount Kenya would not abandon the administration they supported and voted for.
