Months after showing interest in backing Deputy President William Ruto's 2022 candidature, a section of Mt Kenya governors may have resolved to quit from the campaigns.
Dr Ruto has intensified his trips to the populous region in a bid to inherit the voting block from President Uhuru Kenyatta, but differences between the two leaders may have contributed to some of the governors' decisions to drift off.
Without directly mentioning DP Ruto's name, President Uhuru Kenyatta has often warned him against early campaigns. A number of MPs allied to the DP from the region had their security withdrawn, although the government maintains that the move wasn't political.
Only Governor Ferdinand Waititu of Kiambu has often accompanied DP Ruto to functions across the country. However, he was conspicuously absent from Ruto's latest trip last week in Nyeri.
Murang'a Assembly Majority Leader Mr King'ori Wambugu opines that Dr Ruto has been abandoned due to his unfulfilled promises. He cites an example of a road commissioned by Ruto but it is yet to start.
“The region’s leadership realised that the DP is using the divide-and-rule tactic to gain political mileage. When visiting Central, the DP comes with promises, but in other areas he initiates tangible developments,” said Mr King’ori Wambugu
“The governors realised that they must work with the President to meet their development agenda. They also realised that, by meeting the MCAs, the DP was using the divide-and-rule tactic to undermine them,” said Mr King’ori.
Governors Mwangi Iria (Murang'a), Mutahi Kahiga (Nyeri), Ann Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Francis Kimemia (Nyandarua) and Muriithi Nderitu of Laikipia have all kept low profiles. Initially, their presence in Ruto's functions was noticeable.
“The President and his deputy appeared to be on opposing sides. The President is after leaving a legacy while the DP is more focused on the 2022 elections, putting the country in a campaign mood against the President’s wishes. The governors had no option but to work with and support the President,” said Mr John Ndegwa.
Also missing in action are Kiraitu Murungi of Meru and Muthomi Njuki of Tharaka-Nithi. Dr Ruto has made several trips to Mt Kenya since 2018. At the moment, MPs Ndindi Nyoro and Kimani Ichungwah have remained his key pillars in the unsettled region.