Tensions Rise in Mt Kenya as Njiru Questions Ruto’s State House Meeting With Kiambu Leaders

Wiper Patriotic Front party spokesperson Ndegwa Njiru has accused President William Ruto of using development pledges in Kiambu County as a political strategy to stem a wave of defections from the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s Democratic Congress Party (DCP).

According to reports by People Daily, Njiru’s remarks followed President Ruto’s recent engagement with Kiambu leaders at State House, where the Head of State outlined ongoing and planned government projects for the region.

While President Ruto framed the Kiambu initiatives as part of his administration’s broader national transformation agenda, Njiru interpreted the meeting through the lens of shifting political realignments across the Mount Kenya region.

The Wiper spokesperson argued that the timing of the development commitments was directly tied to the growing political momentum around Gachagua’s party ahead of the August 2027 General Election.

In recent days, Gachagua has publicly welcomed several elected leaders who have officially abandoned UDA to join DCP.

Among those who recently crossed over to the former Deputy President’s camp are Runyenjes Member of Parliament Eric Muchangi Karemba and a delegation of Nyeri County Assembly members led by Speaker James Gichuhi.

Political observers and Gachagua’s allies have pointed to these defections as evidence of changing grassroots dynamics in central Kenya as aspirants position themselves for the upcoming polls.

On his part, President Ruto has maintained that his government’s development programs are driven by fairness and national equity rather than short-term political calculations.

Addressing leaders and citizens, the President emphasized that his administration is deliberate and intentional in ensuring that every part of Kenya benefits from state projects.

He reiterated that no county, community, or region will be left behind under his leadership, summarizing his administration’s development philosophy with the slogan “Usawa ni Sawa”.

As both political camps intensify their outreach across Mount Kenya, the debate over service delivery and party loyalty continues to shape the early contours of the 2027 succession contest.

https://peopledaily.digital/inside-politics/ndegwa-njiru-accuses-ruto-of-using-kiambu-development-pledges-to-counter-uda-defections-to-gachaguas-dcp

kenya-news-updates feedback-opera-news-app@opera.com