Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has claimed President William Ruto no longer enjoys genuine political support in the Mt Kenya region, arguing that residents have already made up their minds ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a meeting at his Wamunyoro home in Nyeri County, Mr Gachagua said the President's visits and development tours in the region would not translate into votes.
"The people of Mt Kenya have already made their decision. You cannot buy their support with projects or political rallies. They know what they want," Mr Gachagua said.
He maintained that attendance at presidential functions should not be interpreted as electoral support, insisting that many residents attend government events out of respect for the office of the President rather than political allegiance.
The former deputy president has in recent months repeatedly argued that President Ruto's political standing in the region has weakened following the fallout that culminated in his removal from office in 2024.
In previous public addresses, Mr Gachagua has claimed that President Ruto would struggle to secure votes in the region, saying Mt Kenya voters felt betrayed by what he described as unfulfilled promises made during the 2022 election campaign.
"I have travelled across the region and the message is the same. People feel let down and they will express themselves through the ballot," Mr Gachagua said in an earlier address.
His latest remarks came as the battle for political influence in the vote-rich region continued to intensify, with both allies of President Ruto and opposition leaders stepping up mobilisation efforts ahead of the next election.
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has previously argued that political support cannot be sustained through government development projects alone, saying leaders must also honour their political commitments and maintain public trust.
"The people will always make their own decision. Development is important, but leadership is also about keeping faith with those who elected you," Mr Sifuna said in an earlier interview.
President Ruto has consistently dismissed claims that he has lost support in Mt Kenya, maintaining that his administration will be judged on its development record rather than political rhetoric.
During recent tours of the region, the President has said his focus remains on implementing projects aimed at improving roads, agriculture, markets and electricity access, insisting that service delivery—not politics—will determine the verdict of voters in 2027.
The exchange reflects the growing political contest over Mt Kenya, a region regarded as one of the country's most influential voting blocs and expected to play a central role in the next General Election.
