Mt Kenya East leaders vow to back Ruto, Kindiki amid East-West rift
Mount Kenya East leaders allied to the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) have vowed to remain in President William Ruto’s government and support Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki, dismissing calls for the region to withdraw from the administration. Speaking in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, on Friday, August 28, 2026, the leaders challenged their counterparts from Mount […]
Leaders of Mount Kenya East, who are aligned with the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), have pledged their continued support to President William Ruto and Deputy President Professor Kithure Kindiki, rejecting calls for the region to sever ties with the administration. Speaking in Manyatta Constituency of Embu County on August 28, 2026, the leaders confronted their fellow Mount Kenya West politicians to mirror the political backing the region has extended to Ruto's presidential nominees over the years.
They asserted that Mount Kenya West has historically produced numerous presidents, while Mount Kenya East has only recently been represented at the highest government level through Kindiki's appointment as deputy president.
Addressing the concerns that the region should alter its political allegiance before the 2027 general election, the leaders dismissed the notion, emphasizing that some of the alternatives proposed as leaders lack a proven track record of development. They stressed, "We don't want guesswork. We know where we want to take this country."
Governor Isaac Mutuma of Meru highlighted Kindiki's rise as a historic moment for Mount Kenya East, noting that the region has never before produced a Deputy President, and even referred to the region as the firstborn of the country.
The leaders also denounced what they described as divisive rhetoric targeting Mount Kenya East leaders, warning the public against being swayed by political messaging that lacked a clear development agenda. They maintained their commitment to defending the region's position within the government and backing the Ruto-Kindiki administration as political alignments shift in anticipation of the 2027 elections.
The comments come in the midst of escalating political tensions between leaders from Mount Kenya East and West over the region's relationship with the Ruto administration and its desired political path ahead of the 2027 elections. The UDA allies criticized opposition figures attempting to sway the region, urging residents to assess politicians based on their development record instead of political rhetoric.
Written by urgent.news from People Daily Kenya's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
