From cheering to jeering: Why Mt Kenya region is heckling Ruto

But that has changed as the electorate who abandoned their son, former President Uhuru Kenyatta, to back Ruto, now heckle him in public.

While Mt Kenya leaders have for a long time held the view that the Nyanza region is the most vocal in voicing dissent, Mt Kenya region seems to be rehearsing day and night to overtake it.

On November 19 last year, Energy and Petroleum Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir was heckled as he attempted to address a congregation in Bomet in the presence of the president.

When the CS greeted the congregants, they started heckling and refused to calm down to let Chirchir address them.

Nakuru residents heckled their governor in the presence of the Head of State last month. They could not let her speak as local politics played as the president watched.

Two weeks ago, the president during a three-day visit to Meru discovered the other side of Mt Kenya as agitated residents booed Governor Kawira Mwangaza.

This time, the president lost his cool and reprimanded the irate residents by reminding them that they should desist from such behaviors during the 'president's meeting".

When former President Uhuru Kenyatta and then Deputy President William Ruto were welcomed in Bungoma by Governor Ken Lusaka on December 15, 2016. [File, Standard]

"It is just a matter of time and you will see leaders you never thought would speak openly coming out publicly to tell the president off," he told The Standard.

He accused the president of turning Mt Kenya residents into beggars due to the poor state of macadamia, coffee and tea sub-sectors.

According to Kioni, Kenya is also reaping the seeds of discord it sowed during campaigns.

"They planned and masterminded heckling of the former president and that is how the electorate learned that it's no big deal to heckle others in the presence of the president.

However, according to James Mwangi, the president, as a leader who receives intelligence on the state of affairs, is going to the grassroots to maintain his grip.

"The president must be aware of what is happening and unlike Uhuru who was briefed and did nothing, Ruto seems to be going to the people so that in 2027, he will not be judged alongside his troops who are engaged in vicious fights. His presence will also help him know the popular candidate for elective positions," noted Mwangi.

Eala MP Maina Karobia said the leaders engaged in booing want to leverage on the continued growth of the economy hence the infighting.

"The economy is taking shape and every leader wants to use that to advance their political popularity and that is why they are fighting. But the leaders need to focus on the scorecard as that is what will be used to gauge them. They should focus on development and not be lost into campaigning," Karobia told The Standard.

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina said the jeering had nothing to do with the president or the performance of the Kenya Kwanza administration claiming it was a creation of warring local politicians.

"This is a habit most governors are perpetuating and which is an abuse of tax-payers money. Unfortunately, they forget that the public perception casts aspersions on the popularity of the regime as a whole. And if the trend continues, it will have far-reaching consequences. The president must call to order such politicians and their ilk," she said.