As the 2027 succession politics continue to shape up, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has sounded a warning to the Mt. Kenya region.
With the region currently enjoying hefty perks and occupying various top positions in the Kenya Kwanza administration, Mudavadi has made it clear that it risks losing them if it abandons President William Ruto.
Speaking at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa in Othaya, Nyeri County, on Sunday, May 4, 2025, the prime cabinet secretary told the vote-rich region that many leaders were eyeing what the current administration had granted to them.
Mudavadi insisted that he was among those craving those powerful positions offered to the region, subtly implying the deputy president post currently being held by Kithure Kindiki.
Without mincing his words, he told the residents and area leadership to hold on to what they have or risk losing it.
“Mimi nataka kuwashukuru viongozi wa hapa, you are solid na nyinyi mkicheza vile Kimani Ichung’wah amemueleza, sisi tunanyemelea, mkicheza, mkiteleza, mkiwachilia tutachukua.We will take, kwani mnafikiria ni namna gani?” he posed.
Which loosely translates to: “I want to appreciate the leaders from here (Mt. Kenya). You are solid, but if you continue playing and let it slip, we want it and we will take it, or what do you think will happen?”
“A bird in hand is better than 10 in the bush. Hold on to what you have, take it seriously. There are Kenyans out there who wish they had a fraction of what you have,” Mudavadi added.
He hailed the region and its leaders for remaining firmly behind the current administration but warned of the possibility of a change of tune when the current administration has begun to show Kenyans the fruits of hard work, unity of purpose and patience.
“I want to encourage you when you have an opportunity of this nature and you are working with a president who has a lot of faith in the people of this region, don’t waste the opportunity; take it seriously. Work with him, work with other Kenyans, and that is where we stand,” he affirmed.
Mt Kenya’s share
After the successful ouster of Geoffrey Rigathi Gachagua as deputy president, Ruto picked Kithure Kindiki to replace him.
Besides Kindiki, Ruto maintained his close working relationship with leaders from the region, tapping several of them to lead various dockets.
In the recent reshuffle, several individuals from the Mt. Kenya region were appointed to Cabinet Secretary (CS) positions. These include William Kabogo, who became the CS for Information, Communications, and the Digital Economy; former Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui was assigned the Trade CS docket; and Mutahi Kagwe was picked to lead Agriculture.
Mbeere North former MP Geoffrey Ruku was also recently sworn in to replace Justin Muturi, who was fired as Public Service Cabinet Secretary.
The land docket is led by Alice Wahome, Eric Muriithi leads water, and Rebecca Miano, on the other hand, is the Tourism Cabinet Secretary.
Besides CSs, other plum positions are currently occupied by leaders from the region. Ruto’s advisors, David Ndii and Moses Kuria, are among the top honchos from Mt. Kenya.
Former Laikipia Governor Nderitu Murithii, the current KRA chairman, adds to the list of top positions held by leaders from the region on top of principal secretaries and other ambassadorial roles.
According to Mudavadi, the region risks losing part of its share if it ditches Ruto.
Gachagua, on the other hand, on several occasions vowed to send home his former boss. He accused him of betraying the Mt. Kenya region.
