President Uhuru Kenyatta is substantially losing grip on the greater Mt Kenya region amid growing rebellion from several MPs who are now rallying behind Deputy President William Ruto, reports the Nation.
Despite Uhuru's persistent warnings to Central Kenya leaders to stop early campaigns, the majority of them are openly pushing for DP Ruto presidency, with a few of Uhuru's allies forming a splinter group dubbed 'Team Kieleweke' to tame Ruto's influence.
Notably, Governor Ferdinand Waititu and Mwangi wa Iria have openly backed Ruto, with Gatundu South MP Moses Kuria opting to walk on his own path. Uhuru has often warned local leaders against 2022 politics.
“Leaders from the region doing their second term are countable. Central Kenya doesn’t nurture leaders. If they lose in elections, they are confined to the political dustbin and mocked. In other regions like Western, leaders who lose are still given credibility and respect. That is why Musalia Mudavadi is still relevant,” political analyst JM Waiganjo said.
According to the Nation, a section of MPs are accusing Uhuru of refusing to pick their calls, finding it easier to access the DP. Dr Ruto has traversed the expansive region with the leaders in fundraisers.
“He doesn’t pick calls and does not give us an audience, while Ruto regularly invites us to his Karen home and supports us with money for fundraising meetings and development projects,” an MP said.
“There was a time we tried to approach the President on development in our region. He bashed and scolded us,” another MP from Kiambu said.
Mr Waiganjo said Mr Ruto pays attention to their needs.
“This started during the 11th Parliament, which I served. The DP takes time to know the legislators and their constituencies. He refers to members by name and constituency. He would discuss with them what they want in terms of development and put in his diary,” Mr Waiganjo said.
Mr Kenyatta has solidly insisted that he supports the Building Bridges Initiative, which Ruto's team believes is a wider scheme to shortchange Dr Ruto. In Nyeri last year, Uhuru claimed that his 2022 choice would shock many people.