Mt Kenya leaders jittery as 2027 shapes up into political survival battle

Nairobi — In Kenya’s vote-rich Mt Kenya region, local leadership is waking up to a sobering fact: the next general election in 2027 may be less about advancing careers and more about political survival. With shifting alliances, mounting public frustrations and fresh contenders emerging, many sitting MPs and local figures are scrambling to reposition themselves — either by doubling down on loyalty to William Ruto, switching sides, or quietly hedging bets.
Traditionally a stronghold for the president, Mt Kenya is showing cracks in its facade of stability. Some of Ruto’s allies in the region are reportedly mobilising alternate plans — meeting grassroots networks, testing public sentiment, and gauging whether the incumbent’s support will hold.
Meanwhile, voices warn that backing a losing side could mean being politically frozen out for years. As one Mt Kenya leader cautioned, stepping away from the current administration might lead to the next 15 years of being in the cold. The upshot: what once appeared as safe seats or reliable regional block votes are now under threat, prompting serious soul-searching among the region’s political class.
The implications for Kenya’s wider politics are significant. If Mt Kenya’s bloc fractures — or pivots away from Ruto and his coalition — the national balance of power could shift dramatically. Opposition insurgents and alternative figures in the region, such as Rigathi Gachagua and the revived Jubilee Party, are sensing opportunity.
For sitting MPs, this means that allegiance is no longer a guarantee of safety; grassroots anger and changing moods could send incumbents packing. Analysts say the Mt Kenya region may well become the king-maker or breaker of 2027 — a title once reserved for other regional blocs.
As Kenya moves toward 2027, the key question is whether Mt Kenya’s political class can adapt — or whether they will be overtaken by new forces and voter dynamics. With internal rifts apparent and old certainties dissolving, the coming election may see familiar faces fall, alliances collapse, and a more unpredictable set of players emerge. For those who served on the assumption that the mountain vote was a safe bet, the mountain may now be the ground shifting beneath their feet.