Ruto's gamble: Can his new CSs tame rebellion?

President William Ruto chairs the cabinet on 11/2/2025 at State House, Nairobi. [PCS]

When Cabinet Secretaries Mutahi Kagwe (Agriculture), Lee Kinyanjui (Trade) and William Kabogo (ICT) were sworn-in on January 17, they were expected to reclaim the rebellious Mt Kenya region for President Ruto, a task proving to be an uphill battle.

Their appointment was described as a grand political chess move, with government apologists and bloggers claiming that President Ruto had “brokered a deal to completely paralyze the villager movement” led by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. Government sympathizers argued that President Ruto had strategically cut off the financial and institutional support that could have sustained Gachagua’s political movement.

“While Gachagua may still hold sway in Mt Kenya West, he has suffered a fatal political blow. His influence beyond the region is now nearly impossible. Just look at how Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka has been avoiding him,” said political analyst Gordon Opiyo.

Bloggers

Pro-government bloggers echoed this sentiment, claiming that the trio’s entry into Ruto’s Cabinet would politically obliterate Gachagua.

Their appointment came shortly after Gachagua’s impeachment, which had heightened political tensions in Mt Kenya, even leading to leaders, including President Ruto, being booed at burial ceremonies.

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Having previously held key political positions, the trio was seen as potential heavyweights who could collaborate with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki to unify the region and ease hostility toward Ruto.

Kabogo and Kinyanjui had both served as governors in Kiambu and Nakuru, respectively, but were rejected by voters in their re-election bids. Kagwe, on the other hand, had been Nyeri Senator and unsuccessfully vied for the governor’s seat.

Their appointment signaled that Mt Kenya, a region Gachagua had vowed to wrest from Ruto’s grip, held seven out of 20 Cabinet slots—equivalent to 35 of the government. This bolstered the narrative that the region remained firmly within Ruto’s administration.

Speaking after presiding over their swearing-in ceremony, President Ruto expressed confidence in the three leaders, stating they had the necessary skills to tackle national challenges.

However, two months into office, analysts argue the trio has made little to no effort in reviving Ruto’s dwindling political fortunes in Mt Kenya.

Apart from Kabogo, who has attempted to challenge Gachagua—albeit outside Mt Kenya—Kinyanjui and Kagwe have largely stayed away from political debates and have been reluctant to organize meetings in the highly polarized region.

Another CS, who requested anonymity to avoid being drawn into politics, said, “Our mandate is not to redeem Ruto’s image but to implement a strategic shift, moving away from talk and focusing on work. Soon, the political landscape will change when the people see results and are satisfied.”

Analysts believe the Mt Kenya region was so heavily radicalized that the three leaders who joined Ruto’s Cabinet have lost their political relevance.

Prof Peter Kagwanja said Ruto’s decision to appoint the leaders to his Cabinet in an attempt to win over the region was misguided, as better service delivery was the key to regaining public support.

“The way any politician with a UDA ticket easily won in 2022 is the same way it is now extremely difficult to maintain political relevance while working with Ruto. Anyone associated with the government automatically becomes tainted,” he said.

Communication expert Albert Kasembeli argued that the three leaders lacked the capacity to redeem Ruto’s image, as they had already been rejected at the polls.

JKUAT lecturer Dr Charles Ng’ang’a added, “Their appointment may have been influenced by the President’s advisors, the only effective strategy is to fulfil promises, not just appoint individuals to his administration.”