- President Ruto assured the residents of Mt Kenya that he has no grudges and still sees them as his biggest base of support
- He dismissed Rigathi Gachagua’s claims of betrayal, emphasizing his long-standing relationship with the region since his days as Minister of Agriculture
- Ruto emphasized that unity and inclusion, promising equal development in the county under a broad government
President William Ruto He has assured the voters of Mt Kenya that he has no grudge against them and they do not see him as disliking him.
Source: Twitter
Speaking in Nyeri on Saturday, January 17, while meeting with UDA grassroots leaders, the president said he still sees Mount Kenya as his base of support, and at no time does he think of losing his relationship with the voters there.
Ruto’s account of being rejected by Mount Kenya, which largely supported his bid for the presidency in 2022, was given by the former deputy president Rigathi Gachaguawho had claimed that the president betrayed Mount Kenya by allowing his removal from power in 2024.
Gachagua also often claims that the president left the voters of Mt. Kenya by sharing the government with those who did not support his ambition, referring to the advent of a broad government, which saw the inclusion of people from the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) taking a prominent position in the Cabinet.
In an effort to strengthen relations with the region, the president reiterated that he had not quarreled with its residents. He commended Mount Kenya for embracing integration and rejecting ethnic divisions, noting that his relationship with the region dates back to his days as a Cabinet minister.
Opposing Gachagua’s initial claim that he introduced him to the mountain, Ruto explained that his visits began during his tenure as Minister of Agriculture under Mwai Kibaki and continued as deputy Uhuru Kenyatta.
He added that the support he received from Mt Kenya voters was proof of their friendship with him.
“It is Mount Kenya that ended tribalism. You voted for me not because of tribe, but because we had a plan and agenda for the country. You will ask for my performance report card in 2027,” he said.
The President emphasized that his goal is to promote unity throughout the country and ensure that everyone is part of the development agenda.
He said that the partnership with ODM was not meant to exclude Mount Kenya or any other area.
Ruto stressed that his vision is to unite all parts of Kenya so that every community can contribute and benefit from the development of the country.
Addressing Mt. Kenya in particular, he noted that ongoing and upcoming projects confirm the continued importance of the area in his administration.
“Today we have a broad government, and Mount Kenya has not lost anything because of it. Roads in Nyeri will be built, just like those in Kisumu and Coast, because we have a good plan. The problem has been sharing the small cake we have. Now we have a strategy on how to make a big cake that everyone will share in,” he said.
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