A large delegation of Kipsigis grassroots leaders from Kericho, Bomet, Narok and Nakuru counties on Wednesday visited former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua at his Wamunyoro residence, in what is likely to deepen concerns within President William Ruto's camp over shifting political loyalties in the Rift Valley.
The Kipsigis, the largest sub-community within the Kalenjin nation and long regarded as the backbone of Ruto's political support, arrived in large numbers, complete with traditional songs and dance, underscoring what appeared to be growing grassroots discontent in a region that has consistently voted overwhelmingly for the President.
The visit comes as Gachagua steps up efforts to build a national political movement ahead of the 2027 General Election by reaching into regions previously considered firmly under Ruto's influence.
Addressing the delegation, Gachagua thanked the Kipsigis community for supporting the Kenya Kwanza ticket in the 2022 General Election, when he was elected Deputy President alongside Ruto.
"I thanked the Kipsigis community for honoring me by voting for me as the second Deputy President of the Republic of Kenya," Gachagua said.
According to the former deputy president, the leaders presented a list of grievances facing the community, including alleged neglect by elected leaders, lack of development, marginalisation, grabbing of community land and extrajudicial killings.
"They too, like all the 55 million Kenyans, are suffering," he said.
More significantly, Gachagua said the leaders had agreed to work with him in what he described as "the liberation of our country and the formation of the Sixth Administration," language that signals his determination to build a broad opposition coalition against the Kenya Kwanza government.
The political significance of the meeting lies less in the discussions than in who attended. For decades, the Kipsigis have been among the most loyal voting blocs in the Rift Valley, playing a central role in Ruto's rise from North Rift kingpin to the presidency. Any signs of unrest within the community could have far-reaching implications for the President's re-election strategy.
The delegation's decision to travel to Wamunyoro is also the latest indication that Gachagua's influence may be extending beyond his Mt Kenya political base into regions traditionally considered out of reach.
The former deputy president has in recent months hosted leaders from different parts of the country as he seeks to portray his movement as a national platform built around shared economic and governance grievances rather than regional interests.
Wednesday's meeting was accompanied by traditional celebrations, with Gachagua describing it as "a beautiful day full of song and dance" before declaring that "consultations continue."
While neither side announced a formal political alliance, the optics of hundreds of Kipsigis leaders gathering at Gachagua's residence are likely to fuel debate about whether cracks are beginning to emerge in Ruto's once-solid Rift Valley support base.
With the 2027 General Election drawing closer, political observers will closely watch whether the growing engagement between Gachagua and sections of the Kalenjin community develops into a sustained political realignment or remains an expression of dissatisfaction among grassroots leaders.
