EMBU — The illusion of a united Mt Kenya voting bloc shattered this weekend as Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire declared a political divorce from the region’s traditional power brokers. In a coordinated offensive that has sent shockwaves through the central highlands, the two leaders announced that Mt Kenya East—comprising Embu, Meru, and Tharaka-Nithi—is ready to "chart its own path" ahead of the 2027 General Election.

This is not merely a localized skirmish; it is a calculated insurrection against the dominance of Mt Kenya West (Nyeri, Kiambu, Murang’a), currently personified by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Speaking at a charged rally in Kangaru, CS Ruku did not mince words, effectively burying the notion of a monolithic 'Mountain' vote.

“Mt Kenya East must stand firm and protect its own political and economic interests,” Ruku told a cheering crowd, flanked by UDA loyalists. “We will divide the Mountain if we must. Mt Kenya East will stand alone.”

The Kindiki Factor

The revival of this decades-old rivalry is inextricably linked to the ascent of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, a son of Tharaka-Nithi. For years, the East has complained of being the "flower girl" in political marriages—delivering votes but receiving scraps in development. With Kindiki now the second-most powerful man in the land, leaders like Mbarire and Ruku see a once-in-a-generation opportunity to shift the center of gravity away from the Kikuyu heartland.

Governor Mbarire, who also chairs the ruling UDA party, reinforced Ruku’s ultimatum. “I want to echo the words of CS Ruku,” she asserted. “We will not be dragged into politics that do not serve our people. If the West thinks they own our votes by default, they are in for a rude shock.”

This pivot comes just weeks after a litmus test in the Mbeere North by-election on November 27. The government-backed candidate, Leo Wamuthende, handily defeated a candidate supported by the Gachagua faction. The victory emboldened the Ruku-Mbarire axis, proving they could deliver the grassroots without the blessing of the former DP.

Economics of the Split

For the average resident of Embu or Meru, this political realignment is about more than egos; it is about the bottom line. The region’s economy is anchored on coffee, tea, and muguka. Ruku argued that the current administration’s direct interventions have begun to bear fruit, contrasting this with the "noise" from the opposition camp.

• Coffee Reforms: Ruku cited improved payout rates for cooperatives in the East, attributing it to President Ruto’s executive orders rather than regional agitation.
• Resource Allocation: The leaders argued that a distinct "East" bloc can negotiate better revenue-sharing formulas for water projects and tarmac roads, which have historically favored the more populous West.
• Market Access: Mbarire emphasized that loyalty to the central government guarantees protection for the lucrative muguka trade, a lifeline for thousands of Embu youth, which faces constant regulatory threats.

“We have seen what blind loyalty to the West gets us—nothing,” Ruku noted. “When we negotiate as the East, we negotiate for our farmers, not for brokers in Nairobi.”

A Risky Gamble?

Political analysts, however, warn that fracturing the vote could be a double-edged sword. While it strengthens DP Kindiki’s hand in the short term, a divided Mountain risks losing its tyranny of numbers—the very leverage that has made it Kenya’s kingmaker since independence.

Critics from the Gachagua camp have already dismissed the move as a "divide and rule" tactic orchestrated by the State to weaken the region’s bargaining power. Yet, for the crowds in Embu this weekend, the message of self-determination resonated deeply.

As the dust settles, the message to Nairobi is unequivocal: The East is no longer asking for a seat at the table. They are building their own table.