NAIROBI, Kenya Jan 14 – President William Ruto\u2019s January 2025 tour of Mt Kenya may have looked like a normal development visit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But beneath the church services, project launches and friendly speeches, a deeper political message was being sent, one that could spell embarrassment for his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua in the 2027 election.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the first time since their bitter fallout, Ruto did what many thought he would avoid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He walked straight into Mathira, Gachagua\u2019s political stronghold, and spoke with confidence, authority and visible backing from local leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Ruto arrived in Nyeri for a church service on Sunday, January 11, 2025, at ACK St Paul\u2019s Parish in Othaya. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sitting next to him were Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga on his left and Deputy President Kithure Kindiki on his right, a carefully choreographed image of control and loyalty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Ruto then announced he would stay in Nyeri for three days to inspect stalled projects and roll out new investments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The real statement came the following day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Ruto on Monday, January 12, Ruto headed to Mathira, an area he had earlier avoided following his fallout with Gachagua. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There, he handed over the Karatina Marigiti ESP market and declared \u201cI am here in Mathira to pay my debt.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He went on to launch a 680-unit affordable housing project and unveiled the Sh173 million Nyota Programme targeting 6,000 young people from Nyeri, Murang\u2019a, Kirinyaga and Nyandarua counties.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Standing before Mt Kenya residents, Ruto openly dismissed claims that Gachagua was responsible for his political acceptance in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI have heard some people claiming that they carried me on their backs and introduced me to the Mountain. Nobody brought me here,\u201d Ruto said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He instead credited his long relationship with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, saying he had spent over 20 years working in the region while representing his former boss.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
President Ruto doubled down by telling voters to judge leaders by work, not noise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIf someone has no policy, no agenda, no plan and no vision, is that a person fit to be elected anywhere?\u201d he asked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though he did not name Gachagua, the target was obvious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps more damaging for Gachagua is the quiet shift among Mt Kenya leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Governor Mutahi Kahiga publicly reaffirmed his loyalty to Ruto.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cI voted for Ruto, he is my president, and I am a governor. I am still a member of UDA.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mathira MP Eric Wamumbi also broke ranks, urging Gachagua to stop insults and warning that abuse does not win elections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe reason I will stick with President Ruto is because he is supporting me to deliver,\u201d Wamumbi said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gachagua has tried to downplay Ruto\u2019s Mt Kenya tours, claiming crowds are hired and urging residents to demand payment to attend presidential events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He has vowed to make Ruto a one-term president and has urged Mt Kenya to back whichever opposition candidate emerges, including Kalonzo Musyoka. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He insists the region\u2019s votes will go \u201cinto one basket.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
But Ruto\u2019s strategy suggests he is betting on projects, presence and political isolation of his rival.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In 2022, Ruto secured 87 per cent of his votes from Mt Kenya. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
By returning to Mathira, winning over local leaders and reframing the narrative, he appears determined to prove he can do it again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If that happens, 2027 may not just be a defeat for Gachagua.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It could be a humiliation delivered right at home.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Ruto has taken his political fight to Mt Kenya\u2019s heartland, using development and local backing in a move that could outplay Gachagua in 2027.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":13976,"featured_media":733302,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[1,4625,26],"tags":[1981,491,2246,38768,1844],"coauthors":[1753],"class_list":["post-790174","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kenya","category-national-news","category-top-stories","tag-featured","tag-kenya","tag-rigathi-gachagua","tag-ruto-mt-kenya-strategy-2027","tag-william-ruto"],"yoast_head":"\n