Pressure is mounting within President William Ruto’s political camp as signs emerge that the Mt Kenya voting bloc may be drifting away ahead of the 2027 General Election.
In what is increasingly shaping up as a defensive political strategy, leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza administration have intensified their criticism of retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, effectively turning him into a central figure of blame amid growing political unease.
Over the weekend, several Kenya Kwanza politicians launched sharp attacks on Uhuru, accusing him of undermining the government and influencing political sentiment in the vote-rich region.
The remarks marked yet another episode in a growing trend where the former Head of State becomes the focal point whenever the administration faces public pressure over unmet promises or rising dissatisfaction.
The renewed focus on Uhuru comes at a time when political analysts suggest that President Ruto’s support in parts of Mt Kenya is showing signs of strain.
The region, which played a crucial role in his 2022 victory, is now seen as increasingly politically unpredictable, with emerging opposition alliances and shifting voter sentiment.
According to political analyst Didmus Mokua, the strategy being deployed by the ruling coalition appears deliberate and tactical.
“The praise and attack strategy is meant to position former President Uhuru Kenyatta within a known political matrix so that candidates can recalibrate their 2027 strategies,” Mokua observed, suggesting that Uhuru is being used as a reference point in broader political calculations.
However, critics argue that the approach risks deepening political divisions rather than addressing the core issues affecting ordinary Kenyans, including the high cost of living and economic pressures.
Opposition-leaning voices have also accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of using Uhuru as a “scapegoat” to divert attention from governance challenges.
They argue that repeated references to the former president signal internal anxiety within the ruling camp as it struggles to consolidate support in key regions.