By The Weekly Vision Reporter
A political fault line appears to be emerging within President William Ruto’s Kenya Kwanza administration after Deputy President Prof. Kithure Kindiki publicly dismissed claims that Mt Kenya is divided into political blocs. Speaking during a church service in Embu County last weekend, Prof. Kindiki insisted that Mt Kenya remains united, urging leaders to abandon rhetoric portraying the region as being split between eastern and western interests.
“I don’t want our people to speak in different languages. We have a long history, and there is nothing that can divide us. As the Deputy President, I will ensure that the Mountain remains united and our communities walk together,” he said.
His remarks have drawn attention because they appear to contradict recent statements attributed to Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, who has been associated with suggestions that political support in the region should be viewed through an East–West lens.
The apparent divergence highlights growing differences in political strategy within the ruling coalition as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election. The debate comes at a time when the Kenya Kwanza administration is seeking to rebuild support in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region following recent political setbacks, including the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election.
Political analysts believe the region will once again play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the next presidential election, making unity among Kenya Kwanza leaders increasingly important.
Prof. Kindiki’s emphasis on unity is widely seen as an effort to reassure supporters that regional cohesion should take precedence over internal political rivalries. His message also echoes broader calls from political leaders urging restraint in response to narratives that could deepen divisions within communities.
As the countdown to the 2027 General Election gathers pace, the battle for political influence in Mt Kenya is expected to intensify. Whether the Deputy President’s appeal for unity succeeds in easing internal tensions remains to be seen, but it underscores the region’s enduring significance in Kenya’s political landscape.
