Ruto’s UDA: No longer at ease in Mt Kenya

Mount Kenya Region Drifts from Ruto’s UDA Stronghold
Nairobi — The region that once formed a reliable pillar of support for William Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is now signalling a clear shift in loyalty. Sources report that several counties in the Mount Kenya region have grown increasingly disillusioned with the governing coalition, citing broken promises and waning influence in key positions. Observers say the region’s political weight is waning within Ruto’s broader coalition architecture.
The tensions trace back to allegations of marginalisation and internal disputes among regional power-brokers. For example, the decision by UDA to omit many Mount Kenya counties from its national grassroots election schedule — a tactical omission seen as the party recognising regions where its popularity is dropping — has reinforced concerns of neglect.
Moreover, key regional leaders, including Rigathi Gachagua, have openly declared that Central Kenya has no further political debt to Ruto’s coalition, a sentiment that underscores the disaffection in the region.
The plummeting support in Mount Kenya carries serious implications for Ruto’s political calculus ahead of the 2027 general elections. Loss of confidence in this vote-rich region could force UDA to shore up backing elsewhere or reconsider its candidate strategy. For the Mount Kenya region itself, the rift opens new space for alternative political vehicles to emerge — potentially reshaping power balances nationally. If the trend continues, 2027 may see the formerly dependable mountain vote realign in ways that reverberate far beyond its borders.