Meru MPs tell Ruto to forget Mt Kenya East if he drops Kindiki in 2027 race
A fresh political storm is brewing in Meru after a section of Members of Parliament from the region warned that they would withdraw support for President William Ruto if he drops Deputy President Kithure Kindiki from the deputy president seat in 2027.
Speaking during a grassroots leaders’ meeting at Ntugi in Buuri Sub-county, on Monday, November 3, 2025, the seven lawmakers declared their loyalty to President Ruto but cautioned him against bowing to political pressure from those pushing for Kindiki’s replacement.
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The MPs, led by Buuri MP Mugambi Rindikiri and Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi, were joined by George Mutunga (Tigania West), Dan Kiili (Igembe Central), Julius Taitumu (Igembe North), Shadrack Mwiti (Imenti Central), nominated MP Dorothy Muthoni, and Meru Woman Representative Karambu Kailemia.
The leaders dismissed speculation that the ODM party was eyeing the deputy president’s position ahead of 2027.
Kindiki’s support affirmed
“We want to tell our president that Mt Kenya East is fully behind him, but our support stands because of Kindiki. For many years, our region has supported others for top seats. Now that we finally have one of our own, why should anyone start feeling greedy? The ODM brigade should forget about this seat because it is not vacant,” Rindikiri said.
The meeting, attended by over 1,000 local leaders, warned that removing Kindiki from the seat would trigger a political backlash that could erode Ruto’s support base in Mt Kenya East.
Mutunga cautioned that the region’s votes could not be taken for granted, asserting that Mt Kenya East remains a decisive factor in national politics.
“We cannot allow anyone to replace Kindiki. The President should not listen to empty noise driven by greed for power. We have enough votes to bargain with any political formation, and those eyeing the seat should know Mt Kenya East has the numbers and will defend its position,” the Tigania West MP said.
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2032 endorsement
The legislators said their support for Ruto’s second-term bid was anchored on mutual respect and recognition of the region’s contribution to the Kenya Kwanza coalition.
They vowed to campaign vigorously for Ruto and Kindiki’s joint ticket come 2027 but warned that any deviation from that partnership would cost the ruling alliance dearly.
They also endorsed Kindiki as their preferred presidential candidate for the 2032 elections, saying it was time for Mt Kenya East to produce the next Head of State.
“We will support Ruto for a second term, but come 2032, our focus will be on Kindiki for the presidency. Since independence, this vote-rich region has never clinched the top seat. It is time other communities support us as we supported them,” said Muthoni.
Aburi dismissed the opposition’s interest in the seat, insisting that Mt Kenya East had already claimed it.
“Let our brothers from the Lake region forget this seat. It belongs to Mt Kenya East, and we are ready to defend it come rain or sunshine,” said Aburi.
The leaders, while commending President Ruto for development projects in infrastructure, agriculture, healthcare, and education, maintained that retaining Kindiki was key to sustaining regional unity.
“The development we are seeing is real, from roads to markets, hospitals, and electricity. We appreciate what the government has done, but our message is simple: keep Kindiki, keep Mt. Kenya East,” said Igembe Central MP Dan Kiili.
They urged residents to register as voters in large numbers to strengthen the region’s bargaining power ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“Let us register and vote in huge numbers. Our strength lies in our unity and our votes. The bigger our turnout, the louder our voice in determining who leads this country,” Rindikiri said.
