President William Ruto has on Tuesday urged Kiharu Member of Parliament Ndindi Nyoro and other aspiring young politicians vying for the position of Mt. Kenya kingpin to exercise caution.
Ruto emphasized the importance of these young leaders accepting mentorship from their elder counterparts before engaging in leadership battles.
Although the President’s remarks suggested alignment with Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, he refrained from explicitly endorsing him as his running mate in the 2027 elections, leaving room for varied interpretations.
Ruto, expressing support for mentorship, stated, “Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua and I said that we would mentor these young men. They should go slow while we are mentoring them because if they go too fast, they will spoil things. Relax, do not be in a hurry.”
President Ruto asserted that neither he nor Deputy President Gachagua had a disposition for fighting emerging leaders, emphasizing a collaborative approach to leadership development.
Meanwhile, a faction of Mt. Kenya leaders, led by Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu and Gatanga MP Edward Muriu, openly endorsed Ndindi Nyoro as Ruto’s potential running mate in 2027.
Notably, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Moses Kuria also proclaimed himself as the most suitable leader to guide the community into the future. The President’s past choice of Gachagua as his running mate in the August 2022 general election added complexity to the ongoing dynamics.
As Ruto attempted to mediate the dispute between Gachagua and other Mt. Kenya leaders, Interior CS Kithure Kindiki, previously in contention for the running mate position, distanced himself from the 2027 political discourse. Kindiki condemned discussions about future elections so soon after a General Election, deeming it “tactless, anti-people, and primitive.”
Responding to the speculation surrounding Ndindi Nyoro as a potential running mate, Gachagua attributed it to individuals aiming to divide the Mt. Kenya region, urging young politicians to remain composed. Gachagua stated, “Nobody is planning to take someone else’s position. These young men should relax.”
