Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku. Photo by Dennis Dibondo. 
By Dennis Dibondo
Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku has defended President William Ruto against claims that his administration is hostile to the Kikuyu community, saying the community continues to occupy influential positions in government.
Ruku said the Ruto administration had demonstrated its commitment to equitable development and representation by appointing several senior officials from the wider Mount Kenya region to key government positions.
Speaking at Full Gospel Church in Ntugi, Buuri Constituency, on Sunday, Ruku said the government had also invested heavily in infrastructure across the Mount Kenya region, particularly in the western side.
He was accompanied by Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri and Taveta MP.
Ruku claimed that 77 per cent of government road projects in the Mount Kenya region had been implemented in Mount Kenya West, covering counties such as Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a and Nyandarua, compared with 23 per cent in Mount Kenya East, comprising Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi.
He said Meru County had received approximately 284 kilometres of road projects, while Tharaka Nithi had benefited from about 200 kilometres and Embu more than 200 kilometres.
“I am surprised that the government that is bringing such development and equity is the same government whose people are being told to go to the opposition,” Ruku said.
The CS contrasted the current administration’s record with that of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, claiming that the previous administration did not construct more than 100 kilometres of roads in each of Meru, Embu and Tharaka Nithi counties.
Ruku also listed several senior government officials from the Mount Kenya region, including Chief of Defence Forces General Charles Kahariri, Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahome, Agriculture CS Mutahi Kagwe, Tourism CS Rebecca Miano and ICT CS William Kabogo.
He further cited Energy PS Alex Wachira, Housing PS Charles Hinga, Roads PS Joseph Mbugua, Correctional Services PS Salome Beacco and other senior officials heading State departments and parastatals.
Ruku said claims that President Ruto dislikes the Kikuyu community were unfounded, arguing that the appointment of Kithure Kindiki as Deputy President was itself significant for Mount Kenya East.
“Despite all that, we are told President William Ruto hates Kikuyus simply because he appointed someone from Mount Kenya East, Kithure Kindiki, as his Deputy President. Mount Kenya East has not occupied that seat since independence,” he said.
The CS also criticised former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for what he described as disrespect towards Kindiki, urging him to recognise the Deputy President’s position and desist from making derogatory remarks against him.
However, Ruku acknowledged that Mount Kenya East had fewer Principal Secretaries in the administration compared with Mount Kenya West, saying those appointed from the region did not control some of the key State departments.
He named Forestry PS Gitonga Mugambi, Cooperatives PS Kilemi Kiburi and Fisheries PS Gitonga Mugambi, arguing that Mount Kenya East had not received an equitable share of senior government positions.
Ruku said the issue had prompted calls for greater recognition of Mount Kenya East within the broader political and leadership structure of the region.
He maintained that the community should not be persuaded to abandon the government simply because the Deputy President comes from Mount Kenya East.
“It is just because the Deputy President is from Mount Kenya East that some people are telling us to go out of government. We will not accept that. As Mount Kenya East, we are going to chart a way forward without our Kikuyu brothers,” Ruku said.
The CS further pointed to the recent coronation of Kindiki by elders from the region as an indication of his growing political standing and suggested that he could remain President Ruto’s running mate in the 2027 General Election.
Ruku said both Mount Kenya East and Mount Kenya West had played a role in the struggle for Kenya’s independence, particularly through the Mau Mau movement, and argued that Mount Kenya East should now be given an opportunity to hold the Deputy President’s position.
“Both Mount Kenya East and Mount Kenya West fought for independence together as Mau Mau. Mount Kenya should be allowed to at least enjoy the Deputy President’s seat now,” he said.
