Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku Speaking on Sunday during a church service at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Meru Town on August 2, 2026. Photo by Dennis Dibondo. 
By Dennis Dibondo.
The debate over the political future of the Mt Kenya region has intensified, with Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku leading renewed calls for Mt Kenya East to chart its own political course while rallying support for President William Ruto and Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Sunday during a church service at St. Joseph's Cathedral in Meru Town after attending an earlier function in Igembe Central, Ruku urged Kenyans to grant President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki another term to complete the development projects initiated under the Kenya Kwanza administration.
The Cabinet Secretary argued that the time had come for Mt Kenya East to pursue its own political destiny, claiming that the region had for years played a supportive role while receiving fewer benefits than its counterparts in Mt Kenya West.
Ruku accused leaders from Mt Kenya West of isolating themselves from the rest of the country despite, in his view, benefiting disproportionately from government resources since 2002.
"We are not fools anymore. We will not let others continue enjoying development goodies as we suffer in silence. The mountain will split, and Mt Kenya East will chart its way forward," Ruku declared.
He maintained that Deputy President Kindiki deserves the full support of the region, expressing confidence that he is well-positioned to succeed President Ruto when his tenure ends in 2032.
The Cabinet Secretary also called on leaders from both Mt Kenya East and Mt Kenya West to put aside their political differences and unite behind the Kenya Kwanza leadership, saying regional cohesion would accelerate development and promote political stability.
Ruku defended Deputy President Kindiki against criticism from former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, saying the country's leadership should accord Kindiki the respect befitting his office.
"We have supported previous Presidents, including Jomo Kenyatta, Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta. It cannot be that when Kindiki becomes Deputy President, he is denied the respect he deserves," Ruku said.
He further argued that Mt Kenya East had consistently supported leaders from Mt Kenya West and that the time had come for the latter to reciprocate that support.
Ruku was accompanied by Meru MP Rahim Dawood, Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni, Taveta MP John Bwire Okano, Igembe Central MP Dan Kiili and other Kenya Kwanza leaders, who reaffirmed their support for Deputy President Kindiki and pledged to resist any political attempts to undermine his leadership.
MP Dan Kiili likened the political partnership between President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki to a marriage, urging residents of Mt Kenya East to remain steadfast in supporting the duo as they await what he described as the region's turn to produce the country's president.
Nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni said continued support for the Kenya Kwanza administration would ensure the completion of key infrastructure and development projects across the region.
Taveta MP John Bwire Okano, on his part, said the Coast region remains firmly behind President Ruto and Deputy President Kindiki, describing Kindiki as a humble nationalist committed to uniting the country.
The leaders also dismissed political overtures from the opposition, particularly those associated with former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of poor leadership during his tenure and insisting that Mt Kenya East must prioritize its political interests to secure Kindiki's future presidential bid.
