Kindiki’s political gamble to rescue Ruto’s Mt Kenya base

Deputy President Kindiki Kithure /HANDOUTDeputy President Kithure Kindiki has intensified his political and development tours across the larger Mt Kenya region in a high-stakes bid to rebuild support for President William Ruto’s administration ahead of the 2027 general election.

Kindiki is banking on infrastructure development, improved farmers’ incomes, the fight against illicit alcohol and regional unity to counter growing opposition influence and address public discontent in a region that was instrumental in Ruto’s 2022 presidential victory.

Since his appointment in October 2024, Kindiki has gradually established his presence across the vote-rich region, with his grassroots engagements gathering momentum in 2026.

Mt Kenya comprises 10 counties: Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, Kiambu, Murang’a, Laikipia, Nyandarua and Nakuru.

The region contributed about 3.5 million of the 7.1 million votes Ruto secured nationally against the late Raila Odinga, who contested on the Azimio la Umoja ticket.

However, the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and subsequent political realignments have complicated the ruling party’s efforts to retain the region’s support.

Kindiki’s strategy has been to take the government’s development message directly to residents while presenting himself as a unifying figure capable of defending the region’s interests within the administration.

Kindiki began conducting more visible development inspections in the region in March 2025, including visits to projects in Murang’a and Tharaka-Nithi. He subsequently accompanied Ruto on a multi-county development tour in April that year.

In 2026, he stepped up individual visits, combining project launches and inspections with political meetings and efforts to strengthen the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA).

On March 1, he began a series of planned engagements across Mt Kenya East, with activities scheduled through April 27. By September, his campaign had expanded to more than 30 targeted trips across the wider region, according to media reports.

In August, regional elders reportedly endorsed him as a spokesman for Mt Kenya East. He subsequently intensified grassroots mobilisation, including meetings involving UDA polling centre officials, beginning at Kinoru Stadium in Meru County.

Infrastructure development has been central to his pitch.

In Kiambu county, Kindiki has highlighted 1,285km of roads under construction at a reported cost of Sh152 billion. In Nyeri, he has pointed to plans to upgrade 775km of roads to bitumen standards at a cost of Sh45 billion.

He has also championed the proposed Sh7 billion redesign of the Nithi Bridge in Tharaka-Nithi county, an important transport link associated with fatal accidents.

Other projects featured in his tours include the Sagana County Aggregation and Industrial Park, the Maua Modern Market and the Sh800 million Gakoromone Market in Meru county.

The government has also highlighted affordable housing, student hostels and information and communications technology hubs as avenues for creating employment and expanding economic opportunities.

Through these initiatives, Kindiki is seeking to demonstrate that the administration remains committed to delivering on its pre-election promises despite growing political criticism.

Agriculture remains central to Mt Kenya’s economy, making farmers’ earnings a significant political issue.

Kindiki has highlighted government interventions aimed at improving agricultural value chains, expanding market access and supporting farmers. He has pointed to recent coffee bonus payments, noting that farmers in Mt Kenya counties were among those who received substantial payouts.

Political analyst Javas Bigambo says the interventions have helped ease some of the anger directed at the government, arguing that Kindiki has made progress in addressing concerns that had weakened the administration’s standing in the region.

“Let’s give it to Kindiki. He has really reversed the gains of the current administration through quick and crucial interventions which have lessened perceived anger in the region towards the State,” Bigambo says.

He argues that although the implementation of government promises has been gradual, the administration has made efforts to respond to farmers’ needs.

“Recently, coffee farmers received their bonuses. Farmers in Mt Kenya counties were among those who received highest payouts. While the fulfilment of these promises has been gradual, the State has really gone out of its way to address farmers’ needs,” he says.

Bigambo believes these interventions could make it more difficult for the Opposition to convince residents that the government has neglected the region.

The fight against illicit alcohol has also emerged as a key component of Kindiki’s outreach, particularly amid concerns about substance abuse and its effects on young people and families.

On October 2, the Deputy President issued a stern warning to traders selling harmful alcoholic products, saying those responsible would be arrested and prosecuted.

“I am warning those selling harmful drinks that their days are numbered. We will come for you. I assure you that we will not allow anyone to sell poisonous drinks in the name of alcohol to our people,” Kindiki said.

He spoke at the Limuru Milk Processing Plant grounds in Kiambu County, where he flagged off milk coolers for dairy cooperative societies.

The government has elevated the fight against illicit alcohol by treating its manufacture, distribution and sale as organised crime, calling for firm action against the networks involved.

On Wednesday, Kindiki led the establishment of a permanent secretariat in the Office of the Deputy President to coordinate the campaign against illicit alcohol and drugs.

Based at Harambee House, the secretariat brings together representatives of the National Police Service, Kenya Bureau of Standards, the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse, the Anti-Counterfeit Authority, the National Intelligence Service, the Directorate of Criminal Investigations, the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission and relevant ministries and agencies.

Bigambo says the campaign is already gaining traction.

“Already, his efforts to curb the sale and distribution of alcohol are in place,” he says.

Beyond development, Kindiki has sought to counter political divisions within the region, rejecting attempts to separate Mt Kenya East from Mt Kenya West.

His message of unity comes amid an increasingly competitive political environment, with Gachagua and other opposition figures seeking to capitalise on dissatisfaction with the government.

Political analyst Martin Andati says Ruto’s absence from many of Kindiki’s recent tours reflects confidence in his deputy’s ability to advance the government’s political and development agenda.

“In the initial days, the President would always accompany Kindiki. He was probably inducting him into public life as a Deputy President. Later, the DP has been his own man, fighting his battles with opposition figures such as Rigathi Gachagua without any help,” Andati says.

He points to ongoing infrastructure projects, including the Mau Mau roads and the Rironi-Mau Summit highway, as evidence of the government’s efforts to fulfil its development pledges.

Kindiki’s growing independence gives him room to shape the government’s political message in the region, but it also places greater responsibility on him to demonstrate that the administration’s interventions are producing tangible results.

As the 2027 election approaches, the Deputy President must translate project visibility, farmers’ earnings and grassroots mobilisation into renewed political support.