President William Ruto has officially fired the starting gun for his 2027 re-election bid, unveiling a bold new strategy to quell rebellion in his Mountain stronghold.

Facing a rising tide of discontent and a formidable challenge from his former Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, the Head of State has pivoted to a narrative of economic expansion. Dubbed "Baking a Bigger Cake," the strategy aims to shift the conversation from the divisive politics of shareholding to a developmental agenda that promises tangible returns for the restless voter bloc in Central Kenya.

The Mountain is Restless

The political ground in Mt Kenya has shifted seismically since 2022. The once solid "Yellow Wave" of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is showing cracks, exacerbated by the bitter fallout between Ruto and Gachagua. The former DP has been crisscrossing the region, rallying the populous vote with claims of betrayal and "revenge politics," a narrative that is gaining traction among coffee and tea farmers feeling the pinch of economic reforms.

In response, Ruto’s new blueprint focuses on three pillars:

• Unity of Purpose: Consolidating the fractured Jubilee and UDA wings into a single, formidable machine to avoid vote-splitting.
• Grassroots Development: Fast-tracking stalled infrastructure projects. The President has committed KES 4 billion to complete the Mau Mau roads, a critical artery for the region’s economy.
• Economic Empowerment: Revitalizing the Hustler Fund with higher limits for small businesses, a direct appeal to the "Mama Mboga" demographic that formed his base.

Gachagua’s Counter-Strike

While Ruto preaches development, Gachagua is playing the card of identity politics. "Mt Kenya is safer with Ruto? That is a lie," Kabogo, a key ally in the region, was quoted saying, slamming the current administration for what he terms the "marginalization" of the region’s sons. The narrative is potent: that the region gave its votes but lost its voice.

Ngunjiri Wambugu, a astute political observer, argues that Ruto’s path to redemption lies in visibility. "The President must camp in the region," Wambugu advised. "He needs to remind the people why they fell in love with him in the first place. The proxy wars must end; he must speak to the people directly."

The Stakes for 2027

For Kenya, the stability of the Mountain is the stability of the nation. The region controls nearly 30% of the national vote basket. If Ruto loses his grip here, his path to a second term becomes mathematically treacherous, forcing a heavier reliance on Western and Coast regions—areas currently under the charm offensive of a reinvigorated opposition led by figures like Winnie Odinga.

As the drums of 2027 begin to beat, the average Kenyan is watching to see if the "Bigger Cake" will translate to lower prices for unga (maize flour) and fuel, or if it will remain just another political metaphor in a country hungry for real change.