The Mountain is silent, and the silence is deafening. In a worrying trend for State House, prominent leaders from the Mount Kenya region have increasingly engaged in a game of "hide and seek" with President William Ruto, avoiding his public rallies in what analysts term a strategic distance.

Once the bedrock of the Kenya Kwanza administration, the region is now a hotbed of quiet discontent. Issues ranging from the high cost of living, the controversial Finance Act, and the perceived sidelining of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua have soured the mood. MPs who once fought for the microphone at presidential events are now conspicuously absent, fearing the wrath of a disillusioned electorate.

"Ground iko Moto"

"We cannot stand on a podium and clap when our people are crying about coffee prices and taxes," a Nyeri MP confided anonymously. "Being seen with the President right now is a political risk. We have to listen to the ground."

The rift was evident during the President’s recent tour of Murang’a, where key allies sent representatives instead of attending. The vacuum is being filled by a new crop of youthful leaders and independent voices who are channeling the region’s frustration into a potent political force.

• The 2027 Calculus: The leaders are hedging their bets. With 2027 looming, no one wants to be tied to an unpopular administration if the economic tides don't turn. They are keeping their cards close to their chest, waiting to see if Ruto can deliver the "economic miracle" he promised.
• Gachagua's Dilemma: This leaves DP Gachagua in a precarious position—tasked with corralling a base that is actively rebelling against his boss. His ability to reunite the Mountain will be the ultimate test of his vice presidency.