Ruto promises not to let down Mt Kenya

President William Ruto has vowed not to let down the people of Mount Kenya, whom he called the “real election heroes,” for voting for him despite his outsider status.

Speaking at Sagana State Lodge, Ruto praised the region for defying old ethnic biases and supporting his bid for power. He assured Kenyans that he would make sure to fulfill his obligations to all Kenyans, just as he had promised to do for the residents of Mount Kenya.

“Your sweat will not go in vain, we must work hard to justify the faith, the commitment and sacrifice you have made to make us who we are,” Ruto said.

The Mount Kenya region had never before overwhelmingly chosen a presidential candidate from outside the area. However, they supported Ruto’s bid for power with more than 90% of the vote in the most recent surveys.

Ruto said that he would meet with all of the regional leaders to develop a plan for the area, as promised in the Kenya Kwanza manifesto. He is also slated to begin a series of development projects in four counties—Kiambu, Nyeri, Murang’a, and Laikipia—during his visit to the region.

Ruto’s visit to Mount Kenya is seen as an attempt to consolidate his support in the region ahead of the 2022 general election. The region is home to a large number of swing voters, and its support could be decisive in the outcome of the election.