Ruto Dismisses Gachagua’s Mount Kenya Claims, Vows to Seek Re-election on Performance

President William Ruto has dismissed claims by his former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua that he was solely responsible for delivering the Mount Kenya vote in the 2022 General Election, insisting that he personally campaigned across the region and earned the support of voters through his policies and leadership.

Speaking during a church service at the Full Gospel Church in Gatunduri, Embu County, President Ruto said the people of Mount Kenya made an independent decision to vote for him after listening to his agenda, rejecting assertions that any individual could claim ownership of the region’s political support. The Head of State maintained that he would once again tour every county in the region to seek a fresh mandate from voters based on the performance of his administration rather than political endorsements.

The President said his re-election campaign will focus on the government’s development record, arguing that the Kenya Kwanza administration has implemented key projects and reforms aimed at improving the lives of Kenyans. He expressed confidence that voters would judge his leadership based on tangible achievements and service delivery instead of political rhetoric.

During the address, President Ruto also launched a fresh attack on opposition leaders, accusing them of attempting to divide the country through ethnic politics. He warned that his administration would not tolerate leaders who promote tribal narratives for political gain, saying Kenya’s future depends on unity, national cohesion, and issue-based politics rather than ethnic mobilization.

Without directly naming specific opposition figures beyond his former deputy, Ruto said leaders should focus on presenting alternative policies instead of exploiting ethnic divisions to gain political mileage. He urged Kenyans to reject politics of tribalism and support leaders committed to national development and inclusive governance.

Meanwhile, in Kericho County, Deputy President Kithure Kindiki defended the government’s decision to sell part of its Safaricom shareholding, insisting the move differs significantly from previous privatization exercises. Kindiki argued that unlike past governments, which allegedly used proceeds from the sale of public assets to finance recurrent expenditure such as salaries and government operations, the current administration has put in place measures to ensure transparency and accountability in the utilization of funds generated from the transaction.

The Deputy President maintained that the government remains committed to prudent financial management and responsible use of public resources, emphasizing that proceeds from the sale of state assets should support long-term national development rather than short-term government expenditure.

Ruto’s remarks come amid intensifying political campaigns ahead of the 2027 General Election, with relations between the President and his former deputy continuing to deteriorate as both sides seek to consolidate support, particularly in the politically influential Mount Kenya region. The exchange signals that competition for the region’s vote is likely to remain one of the defining political battles in the run-up to the next general election.