Mutahi Ngunyi Reveals What He Thinks Uhuru’s Mt Kenya Comeback Could Mean for Ruto and Muhoho

Political analyst Mutahi Ngunyi has offered a fresh interpretation of former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s renewed political activity in the Mt Kenya region, arguing that the former president could be pursuing a strategy that stretches beyond the 2027 General Election.

In a post on Sunday, October 4, Ngunyi claimed that Uhuru was working to regain influence over the Mt Kenya voting bloc, which has become a major political battleground ahead of the next presidential election.

Ngunyi based his argument partly on political developments in Kirinyaga, where Uhuru recently addressed residents and revisited the region’s decision during the 2022 presidential election.

According to the political analyst, Uhuru’s alleged strategy could have two stages.

First, Ngunyi suggested that Uhuru could use a revived political influence in Mt Kenya to support President William Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.

He then claimed that the longer-term objective could involve preparing Uhuru’s younger brother, Muhoho Kenyatta, for a possible presidential contest in 2032.

“Uhuru is taking back Mt Kenya from Gachagua if Kirinyaga today was real,” Ngunyi stated, before outlining what he believes could be the former president’s political calculations.

Ngunyi argued that Uhuru could first help secure Ruto another term before turning attention to the 2032 succession battle.

His claim comes against the backdrop of intense competition for influence within Mt Kenya, a region that remains politically significant because of its large voting population and historic role in presidential elections.

Uhuru’s recent remarks in Kirinyaga have also attracted attention because he openly criticised the region’s 2022 voting decision.

The former president reminded residents that he had supported the Azimio la Umoja presidential ticket of Raila Odinga and Martha Karua in 2022, but Ruto ultimately won the election and succeeded Uhuru as president.

While addressing residents, Uhuru questioned whether they were prepared to repeat what he described as a mistake by supporting the same political direction again in 2027.

He also expressed support for the political push commonly associated with the “WANTAM” campaign, which seeks to prevent Ruto from serving a second term.

Uhuru’s renewed involvement has therefore generated competing interpretations of his intentions.

On one side, his public statements appear to place him firmly against Ruto’s re-election. On the other, Ngunyi believes the former president could be pursuing a more complicated political strategy aimed at reshaping Mt Kenya’s leadership and influence over several election cycles.

The suggestion involving Muhoho is particularly significant because Uhuru’s younger brother has largely remained outside active electoral politics.

There is currently no indication from the information presented that Muhoho has formally declared a presidential bid for 2032. Ngunyi’s projection should therefore be understood as political analysis rather than a confirmed campaign announcement.

The debate nevertheless highlights the growing importance of Mt Kenya politics as parties and political figures position themselves ahead of the 2027 election.

With Ruto seeking another term and opposition forces attempting to deny him re-election, control of the region’s political support could become one of the most closely watched issues in Kenya’s next electoral contest.

Uhuru’s return to the political conversation has consequently raised a bigger question: whether his latest activities are primarily about the 2027 election or whether he is already thinking about who should shape the political landscape after it.

tejerah [email protected]