A visit by President Ruto to his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta at his rural home in Ichaweri, Gatundu has thrown Mt Kenya politics into a major spin.
Even as the two friends turned foe issued different statements to “explain” the political camp allied to former DP Rigathi Gachagua was left scratching its head.
The Gachagua camp immediately dismissed the meeting as of no political value and would not change the political direction the region has taken.
But President Ruto’s supporters from Mt Kenya expressed excitement over the meeting led by newly appointed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki.
He said the meeting between Ruto and Uhuru was good for the country because it would help bring unity and therefore foster development.
But the Gachagua side expressed displeasure saying that no amount of meetings would improve the poor ratings of President Ruto in Mt Kenya.
A prominent Gachagua aide and former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu said the meeting was a direct reaction to Gachagua’s growing influence in Mt Kenya.
Political commentators from the region said Mt Kenya has already abandoned Ruto and nothing would make them go to him.
While explaing the meeting Uhuru said it was a normal practice for a sitting President to visit and consult a retired president to discuss matters of national interest.
Uhuru said he and Ruto discussed matters pressing the people including the high cost of living, increased taxation and the need to quickly reconstitute the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).
On his part Ruto said he had a fruitful engagement with Retired President Uhuru Kenyatta when he paid him a courtesy call at his Gatundu home where we discussed national and regional issues.
“I thanked him for his continued role as a national statesman and for peace-making in the region.We called for expeditious resolution of the court matters on IEBC and urged support for the candidacy of former Prime Minister Raila Odinga for the Chair of the African Union Commission,” said Ruto.
