President William Ruto made a return to the Mt. Kenya region on Saturday, November 10, amid growing political tensions following the impeachment of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
This marked Ruto’s first visit to the region since Gachagua was removed from office.
During his visit to Laikipia, Ruto was met with a shift in political sentiment as some leaders who had previously supported Gachagua during his impeachment proceedings began to change their stance.
Laikipia Senator John Kinyua, who had been a staunch ally of Gachagua and voted in his favor on all impeachment charges, publicly apologized to the President, acknowledging the political complexities at play.
“Your Excellency, people sometimes create a lot of issues, and at times, you may slip. But slipping isn’t falling.
People slip and sometimes make mistakes along the way,” Kinyua remarked during the visit.
The gathering saw strong expressions of support for Ruto from leaders in the region, many of whom condemned tribal politics and reaffirmed their commitment to helping the President fulfill his promises to the nation.
Laikipia MP Mwangi Kiunjuri, a vocal critic of Gachagua, emphasized the need for unity, stressing that the Mt. Kenya region must work in harmony with the rest of the country.
“We cannot afford to be discriminated against or to discriminate against ourselves and set ourselves apart from other communities. We are all Kenyans,” Kiunjuri declared.
He reaffirmed the region’s support for Ruto, rejecting tribalism and supporting the President’s call for diversity and cohesion across the nation.
Laikipia North MP Sarah Korere also pledged unwavering support for Ruto, declaring that the region would stand with him.
“We will walk with you, pray for you. You are the captain of this ship, and Kenya is heading in the right direction,” she said.
Laikipia Governor Joshua Irungu echoed these sentiments, emphasizing that the county is home to people from all tribes and that leaders should not divide communities along tribal lines.
In his speech, President Ruto called for national unity, urging all leaders to collaborate for the greater good of the country.
“I want to ask all leaders to work together so we can fulfill our destiny as a nation and implement the plans that will transform our country,” Ruto said, emphasizing the need for unity in advancing the government’s agenda.
Ruto’s visit to Laikipia and the region’s political shift signals a renewed effort to heal divisions and strengthen his support base in Mt. Kenya following the fallout from Gachagua’s impeachment.
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