In a statement posted on his X account (and covered by various Kenyan media outlets today, March 10, 2026), Muturi recounted a late-night meeting at Ruto's Karen residence on the eve of the running mate announcement.
Ruto had called him from Mombasa to discuss the matter.
Key points from Muturi's revelation:
1. There was an earlier understanding or promise that Muturi could be considered for the role, but it fell through due to internal pressures within the United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
2. UDA leaders insisted the running mate must come from the party itself and from the Mt. Kenya region to secure crucial votes in that vote-rich area.
3. Muturi explained that Ruto told him he couldn't be selected because he belonged to another party (the Democratic Party) and couldn't join UDA at the time.
4. Ruto also considered Kithure Kindiki (another Mt. Kenya figure), but ultimately ruled him out, saying it would have been "political suicide" and risked costing votes. 5. 5. Some reports note Kindiki's limited grassroots appeal in the region (e.g., questions about his Kikuyu fluency or perceived ethnic fit).
6. Gachagua was chosen because of his strong political base, ability to mobilize and deliver votes from Mt. Kenya, and overall strategic fit to energize the campaign and avoid alienating key supporters.
This decision was driven by pragmatic electoral calculations to maximize support in Central Kenya while adhering to party demands.
Muturi's account provides insight into the high-stakes, last-minute negotiations behind the Kenya Kwanza ticket formation.
This revelation comes amid ongoing political discussions in Kenya, especially given the fallout between Ruto and Gachagua post-2022.
Comments
Post a Comment