Mt Kenya hasn't been pushed aside under Broad-Based Government - Ruto

President William Ruto has pushed back against claims that the broad-based government has sidelined Mt Kenya, saying the move to bring in leaders from across the political divide was meant to strengthen unity and ensure equal development for all regions.

The president spoke in Nyeri on Saturday, January 17, while engaging United Democratic Alliance grassroots leaders, where he explained that the decision to work with former opposition figures was driven by the need to build a government that reflects the whole country. e insisted that the arrangement was never meant to weaken Mt Kenya’s position in government.

His remarks come as former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua continues to argue that Mt Kenya was abandoned after the president chose to work with leaders who did not back him in the 2022 election.

Ruto rejected that view, saying his leadership goal is to bring together all parts of Kenya and ensure every region plays a role in the country’s progress. He said development in Mt Kenya has not stalled and assured residents that more projects will be rolled out.

"Today we have the broad-based government, and Mt Kenya has lost nothing because of it. The roads in Nyeri will be built, the same as those in Kisumu and the Coast, because we have a good plan. The problem has been sharing the small cake we have. We now have a strategy on how to make a bigger cake that everyone will share," he said.

He also addressed concerns about his relationship with the region, saying there has been no fallout between him and Mt Kenya residents. According to the president, the region has always stood for unity and rejected politics based on tribe.

Ruto said his connection with Mt Kenya did not begin recently and was not introduced by any individual. He explained that he started engaging with the region during his time as Agriculture Minister under the late Mwai Kibaki and later while serving as deputy president during Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure.

He said the support he received from voters in the region showed trust built over time and shared belief in his development agenda.

"It is Mt Kenya that ended tribalism. You voted for me not because of tribe, but because we had a plan and an agenda for the country. You will ask for my performance report card in 2027," he said.

During the same address, the president also responded to criticism surrounding the Affordable Housing Programme, dismissing allegations that he is promoting the project to benefit personally as a supplier of building materials.

Gachagua has been vocal in opposing the programme, repeatedly claiming that Ruto and those close to him supply materials such as cement and steel, which he says explains the president’s commitment to the housing agenda.

Ruto denied the claims, saying the programme is meant to serve the public and provide jobs, especially for young people. He said the benefits of the project extend from labour to suppliers across the country.

"They say I push this programme because I supply cement and steel. Is it easy to supply those materials?" he posed.

Ruto said the housing projects are ongoing nationwide and that he remains committed to delivering them as outlined in his manifesto. He added that supplying materials for such projects cannot be done by one individual and said he has no role in procurement.

Even as the government continues to push the housing agenda, the programme has faced challenges in court. Recently, the High Court in Nairobi stopped construction of the Southlands Affordable Housing Project in Lang’ata.

Justice Charles Mbogo issued the orders after a petition questioned the legality of the project and whether it followed the law. The court directed that construction be halted until the case is heard and determined.

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah, who was involved in the case, welcomed the ruling, saying it underscored the need for government projects to follow the law.

“Affordable housing is necessary, but it cannot be achieved through shortcuts or in breach of the law. Public projects must always comply with constitutional and statutory requirements,” Omtatah said.

He said the case does not oppose housing projects but seeks to protect accountability, respect for the constitution, and proper oversight in public developments.