Kimani Ichung’wah heckled, booed video in front of Ruto at Ol Kalou town, Nyandarua Sparks debate

Shock as President William Ruto’s close ally, Kimani Ichung’wah, is rejected and booed by Nyandarua residents right in front of him in Ol Kalou town.

Tensions flared in Ol Kalou town on Thursday as residents loudly booed National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah in the presence of President William Ruto during a public engagement.

The incident unfolded as the president visited Nyandarua County to launch the Last Mile Connectivity project, aimed at boosting rural electrification, only to witness an unexpected backlash against one of his key allies.

Ichung’wah, who had accompanied Ruto to the event, stepped forward to address the crowd following the president’s speech, but was met with jeers and heckling from the gathered residents.

The Kikuyu MP struggled to make himself heard as chants and shouts drowned out his voice, forcing him to cut his remarks short. President Ruto, standing atop his vehicle, observed the scene as the crowd waved dismissively at Ichung’wah, signalling their disapproval.

The outburst came as a surprise during what was intended to be a celebratory occasion focused on development.

Local sources suggest the residents’ frustration stems from dissatisfaction with Ichung’wah’s leadership or broader grievances with the government.

As Ichung’wah handed back the microphone, a portion of the audience began to disperse, leaving Ruto to introduce other accompanying politicians to a thinning gathering.

The event marks a rare public rebuke of the Majority Leader, a staunch supporter of Ruto’s administration, in the president’s presence.

Political analysts view the episode as a potential sign of shifting sentiments in the Mount Kenya region, a critical support base for Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza coalition.

The president’s five-day tour of the region, which began earlier this week, has already been met with mixed reactions, including calls from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for residents to demand transparency on development projects.

Thursday’s heckling adds a new layer of complexity to Ruto’s efforts to solidify support ahead of future political battles.

Watu wa Ol Kalou town have booed Kimani Ichungwah in front of gis master. Lovely scenes pic.twitter.com/kQbSk6h7CQ

— PropesaTV (@PropesaTV) April 3, 2025