Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro has been endorsed by a faction of Mount Kenya leaders as a potential successor to President William Ruto in 2032 at a burial ceremony in his constituency. The endorsement is likely to reignite a contentious debate within the region, setting Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua against the MP.
The endorsement of Nyoro is also seen as a direct challenge to President William Ruto’s directive earlier this year when he urged leaders to refrain from succession politics. The UDA MPs aligned to Mr Nyoro publicly backed him to succeed President Ruto, defying the president’s call for unity within the party and the Mount Kenya region.
The burial ceremony was attended by prominent figures including Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria and President Ruto’s digital strategist Denis Itumbi. The event served as a platform for Nyoro’s supporters to express their unwavering allegiance to his political aspirations.
Despite President Ruto’s efforts to quell the succession politics between his deputy and Nyoro during his address in Gilgil earlier this year, the endorsement shed light on the persistent divisions within the Mount Kenya region regarding future leadership. Some politicians speculate that Nyoro could potentially deputize Ruto after the 2027 polls, further intensifying the rivalry between the two factions.
Notably, Nyoro’s backing extends beyond the Mount Kenya region, as he garners support from Rift Valley and Mount Kenya MPs alike. As the succession debate continues to unfold, the endorsement of Nyoro by influential Mount Kenya leaders signals a deepening divide within the region’s political landscape, raising questions about the future direction of leadership and unity among its constituents.
