Murang’a County Senator Joe Nyutu has called on President William Ruto to explain why his administration is allegedly targeting leaders from the Mt. Kenya region. Speaking to Citizen TV on Thursday, Nyutu accused the President of allowing his allies to attack the region, which played a crucial role in securing his election victory.
Nyutu expressed concern that the Mt. Kenya region is being unfairly blamed for the fallout between Ruto and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. He claimed that leaders aligned with Ruto have been labeling Mt. Kenya leaders as tribalists whenever they question government policies affecting the region.
“We want him to come with an answer on why he is targeting us as a region, why he has set loose his attack dogs to call us tribalists when we voted for him,” Nyutu stated. “When did we start becoming tribalists? What did we do to him such that anytime we point out something wrong the government is doing to us we are called tribalists?”
Nyutu warned that if Ruto continues with the alleged purge, his chances of securing a second term in office will be significantly weakened. He further questioned whether Ruto had deceived the Mt. Kenya electorate during the 2022 elections, using their support only to later sideline them.
Since his removal from office, Gachagua has intensified criticism of Ruto’s administration, citing poor governance and an alleged scheme to marginalize Mt. Kenya. The former Deputy President also warned against attempts to remove Chief Justice Martha Koome, cautioning that such actions would alienate the Meru region from the President.
In retaliation, the government has demoted several leaders affiliated with Gachagua from key parliamentary and senatorial committee positions. In the National Assembly, Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro reassigned at least five pro-Gachagua MPs to less influential roles. Among those affected were Githunguri MP Gathoni Wamuchomba, Naivasha MP Jayne Kihara, and Roysambu MP Mwafrika Augustine Kamande.
Similarly, in the Senate, Gachagua’s sympathizers including Senators Joe Nyutu (Murang’a), Karungo wa Thang’wa (Kiambu), John Methu (Nyandarua), James Murango (Kirinyaga), and Kanar Seki (Kajiado) were removed from powerful committees.
With tensions rising, the political battle between Ruto and Gachagua is likely to shape the future of Mt. Kenya’s political alignment ahead of the 2027 elections.
