Inside Ruto's plan for Meru amid Mwangaza's ouster, Kindiki's influence

President William Ruto addressing Nambale residents in Busia county after commissioning of the electrification project on January 23, 2025. [Benjamin Sakwa, Standard]

President William Ruto is expected to visit Meru and Tharaka Nithi counties in his planned tour of the Mt Kenya region.

Two weeks ago, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki attended a Methodist Church event in South Imenti.

Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has visited the region several times, during which he railed against Ruto and Kindiki.

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta was at St Joseph Cathedral yesterday for the Thanksgiving service for newly ordained Meru Catholic Diocese coadjutor bishop Jackson Murugara.

Uhuru was warmly received, with residents in attendance such as Catherine Kainyu praising his record in office.

Uhuru, who was accompanied by former Meru Governor, who is also his former Agriculture CS Peter Munya, and former Meru Woman Rep Florence Kajuju, was brief in his speech.

On governance, Uhuru urged the faithful to pray for the country and its leadership. “But we should also pray that the leaders open their ears and hearts to hear the cries of the people they lead,” said the former President.

It remains to be seen what kind of reception Ruto will get in the days following Kawira Mwangaza's loss of the governor seat. Her allies, including her legal advisor Mugambi Imanyara, blame her ejection on the country’s top leadership.

He claimed Meru’s political leaders, including MPs, had exerted pressure on Kenya Kwanza leadership, for Mwangaza’s ejection, in return for support.

Political analysts Oscar Mutugi and Marete ‘JR’ Kinoti were of the opinion that with Mwangaza out of the way, the political leaders who were against her must be preparing the ground in readiness for the President’s visit.

“Ruto’s prolonged absence from the region has largely been influenced by the protracted Mwangaza ouster, with many residents feeling her continued stay in office was detrimental to the development agenda of the county, given her frosty relationship with other elected leaders,” said Mutugi.

But now with Mwangaza’s opponents emerging winners, Mutugi said Ruto’s allies must be mobilising their supporters for the presidential visit.

Kinoti said Meru, after the impeachment of Mwangaza and swearing in of Isaac Mutuma as Governor, “is primarily a government zone”. 

Kinoti said Ruto’s choice of Prof Kindiki as his deputy to replace Gachagua is bound to win him more support from Meru. “The other issue is the Kithure factor,” he said.

Residents have credited the national government for a significant reduction of cattle rustling in the region.

Ruto and Kindiki, in their previous visits, committed to end the cattle rustling and banditry, and brought in County Commissioner Jacob Ouma, who is credited for curbing the menace in Turkana County.