On Saturday, President William Ruto had to deal with a hostile audience in the Mount Kenya region at Bishop-elect Peter Kimani’s installation mass at the University of Embu.
In contrast to former President Uhuru Kenyatta and ousted Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Ruto was met with a cold reception at the event, which was supposed to be centered around religious celebrations but instead became a demonstration of shifting political allegiances.
The crowd greeted former president Uhuru Kenyatta with overwhelming warmth, which was unexpected considering his tense relationship with Mount Kenya voters during the 2022 elections.
Kenyatta took the platform to deliver a succinct but powerful speech after Deputy President Kithure Kindiki invited him to do so.
“I don’t have much to say. These days, I just watch television and listen to the radio. Let us pray for our country, for peace and harmony among citizens, and let us abandon tribalism and love one another,” said Kenyatta, whose remarks were punctuated by cheers.
An enthusiastic group of young people surrounded Kenyatta after the ceremony, cheering and chanting in what seemed to be admiration as they followed him to his car.
The response revealed a growing fondness for Kenyatta’s leadership and perhaps remorse for supporting the current government, as he had warned prior to the 2022 elections.
A hero’s welcome was given to Rigathi Gachagua even though she was impeached as Deputy President.
He was escorted to his seat by prominent Mount Kenya leaders, including Maragua MP Mary Wamaua and Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, as the crowd rallied around him.
Even though Gachagua was not listed among the speakers, his name was always met with enthusiastic applause. Cheers of “Riggy G” reverberated after the event as he was led to his vehicle by a boisterous crowd that proclaimed him the region’s leader.
President Ruto, in sharp contrast, found it difficult to engage the audience. Jeers cut short his speech, which focused on healthcare, affordable housing, and education reforms, expressing discontent with the work of his administration.
Kindiki, a Mount Kenya East native, was unable to mobilize support for Ruto, highlighting the apparent disenchantment with the current government in the area.
Kenyatta, Gachagua, and Ruto’s divergent reactions highlight the changing political landscape in Mount Kenya. The region’s allegiance to Ruto is reportedly eroding, according to analysts, as his administration has been charged with not fulfilling important pledges.
By Nairobi