Njeri Maina: Ruto backed my campaign with Ksh500K every Monday

Kirinyaga Woman Representative Njeri Maina has disclosed that President William Ruto financially backed her campaign with Ksh500,000 every Monday after she secured the UDA Kirinyaga Woman Representative nomination in 2022. Maina made this revelation on the Iko Nini podcast on September 27, 2026. She disclosed that her family, siblings, and two close friends had previously supported her financially during her campaign.

However, she mentioned that Ruto began providing her with the weekly financial assistance after she won the UDA nomination. The money was utilized for her ground-level campaign activities, such as travel around Kirinyaga and printing posters. Maina recounted an instance at Kerugoya Stadium where she sought financial support from Ruto, asserting that he had assured her he would arrange for her assistance.

According to Maina, Rono was the one responsible for disbursing the weekly Ksh500,000. This revelation comes amidst Maina's current political discord with Ruto, whom she once regarded as a significant political ally. When questioned about this shift, Maina attributed the change to her perception of Ruto's promises that did not materialize post his assumption of office.

She emphasized that their relationship took a turn due to major disagreements concerning the government's handling of young people's deaths and the 2024 Finance Bill which she believed was steering the country in the wrong direction despite public opposition. Maina expressed that the Finance Bill marked the point at which she could no longer endorse the administration's direction and this led to her transformation of their relationship to one characterized by open criticism.