NAIROBI – In a direct caution to the Executive, Budalangi Member of Parliament Raphael Wanjala has stated that the political loyalty of the Mount Kenya region cannot be secured through financial inducement or patronage. The Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) legislator’s recent comments underscore the escalating political tensions and realignments shaping the country ahead of the 2027 general election, particularly concerning President William Ruto’s standing in a region that was pivotal to his 2022 victory.

Wanjala's statement, made on Wednesday, 19 November 2025, lands amid a fraught political environment in Central Kenya. The region has been a hotbed of political activity since the contentious impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua in October 2024, an event that ruptured the unity of the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition. Since his ouster, Gachagua has embarked on a political crusade, alleging that the Mt Kenya region has been betrayed, sidelined, and economically targeted by the very government it overwhelmingly helped bring to power.

Speaking at various forums, the former Deputy President has cultivated a narrative of economic grievance, urging his supporters to prepare for a major political comeback and suggesting the formation of a new political vehicle to champion the region's interests. This has created a significant political challenge for President Ruto, who now faces what some analysts describe as “open rebellion” in his primary support base. Reports from late 2024 indicated the President received a hostile reception in parts of the region, a stark contrast to the euphoric support he enjoyed just two years prior.

President’s Development Offensive

In response to the growing dissent, President Ruto’s administration has launched a concerted effort to pacify the region and reaffirm its commitment through development initiatives. Throughout 2025, the President has held numerous high-level meetings with governors, MPs, and cabinet secretaries from Mt Kenya counties at State House, Nairobi. Official communications from these meetings, such as one held in March 2025, have consistently focused on accelerating key economic programmes under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA). The administration has emphasized progress in sectors vital to the region's economy, including coffee, tea, and dairy farming, alongside commitments to infrastructure and affordable housing projects.

This strategy is widely seen as an attempt to counter Gachagua’s narrative of neglect by demonstrating tangible development. However, Wanjala's comment suggests that observers, particularly in the opposition, view these efforts as a form of transactional politics—an attempt to “buy” loyalty with state resources. This dynamic is deeply rooted in Kenya's political history, where patronage and the strategic allocation of resources have long been tools for securing regional support.

A Test of Influence

The struggle for political dominance in the region is currently playing out in the Mbeere North parliamentary by-election. The contest has evolved into a high-stakes proxy battle between the new Deputy President, Kithure Kindiki, and his predecessor, Rigathi Gachagua, with both personally leading campaigns for their preferred candidates. The by-election, scheduled for later in November 2025, is being watched closely as a litmus test of where the region’s allegiance lies and is expected to redefine political dynamics in Mt Kenya.

Political analysts note that the complex situation risks diluting President Ruto’s influence as he navigates the rivalry between his former and current allies. The potential for new alliances is also growing, with speculation that Gachagua may join forces with other opposition figures to challenge President Ruto in 2027. For now, the loyalty of the mountain remains contested. As articulated by the Budalangi MP, the region's political allegiance may prove to be more complex than a simple calculation of development projects delivered, presenting a formidable challenge to the Kenya Kwanza administration's re-election strategy.