Fight for the soul of Mt Kenya takes a new twist

Former Muranga Governor Mwangi wa Iria’s Usawa Kwa Wote party is embarking on a rejuvenation strategy aimed at consolidating the Mt Kenya region votes for President William Ruto.

The party is set to hold its National Delegates Conference next month to pass a resolution that will include grassroots mobilization ahead of the 2027 general election.

The move will see some activities in Mt Kenya region since a month ago, the former ruling Jubilee party, affiliated to former President Uhuru Kenyatta, passed a resolution to reinvigorate the party as the party leader seeks to hand over the party to former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i.

Other than the Jubilee party, Kalonzo Musyoka’s Wiper Patriotic Front (WPF) held its NDC three weeks ago, while Martha Karua ‘s Peoples Liberation Party held its special NDc last month.

Kalonzo and Karua were endorsed as their respective Presidential contenders even as the Opposition maintains that they will field one Presidential candidate.

While most of the political parties from Mt Kenya region are leaning towards the Opposition, Usawa party is among the few parties that lean towards the government with others such as Laikipia East MP Mwangi Kiunjuri and The National Democrats, headed by Thuo Mathenge who is the chairperson of the Board of Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization.

Usawa party is also holding its NDC days after the death of ODM leader Raila Odinga, who was also the party leader of the Azimio La Umoja Coalition, where the Wa Iria’s party was a member.

He said during the National Delegates Conference, the delegates will decide on the way forward, especially on inculcating the Azimio values as they continue supporting President William Ruto’s agenda for the country.

“We are determined to ensure that Mt Kenya region benefits fully with the fruits of the government even as we continue remembering Raila who advocated for peace and unity for the country," the former Governor said.

He said the party is gearing to field candidates in all the elective positions in 2027 and that it would work with like-minded parties for the Presidential seat.

With Wa Iria hailing from Muranga County, where former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s party has a huge following, the party’s move to reinvigorate may be a major boost to the Kenya Kwanza administration, especially if the delegates decide to back the party.

He said some of the strategies the party is undertaking to mobilize support include mounting billboards and branding of vehicles across the region and the entire country as it gears up for the 2027 general election.

According to analysts, Wa Iria’s party may be an innovative strategy to consolidate its influence ahead of the 2027 game plan where the government will be made of several parties coming together to form a coalition as opposed to President Ruto’s political game plan of convincing parties to merge under his United Democratic Alliance.

“The move by Wa Iria is a ploy to rally behind his region, especially behind President Ruto while at the same time trying to deny the Opposition parties their influence. Most of the parties which include Justin Muturi’s Democratic Party, have enjoyed massive support while no party has come out strongly to affiliate itself to the government,” noted John Shiundu.

According to Shiundu, Mt Kenya region has become a battleground for Opposition parties, and if Wa Iria’s party makes a major comeback, it will play a central role at the bargaining table for the 2027 general elections.

“If their efforts bear fruits, the party will change the political arithmetic and will attract courting from both the government and the Opposition even as he noted that other parties such as Gachagua’s Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) had made major strides in the region to incite the electorate against Ruto’s administration.

On his part, political strategist James Mwangi, however, said the region needed a new start away from the rhetoric and exuded confidence that Wa Iria was the best choice to face off with Gachagua.

Wa Iria is Gachagua’s match, he has the same oomph and vigour as the former President, he is also a master of sloganeering and is also combative. If the party engages in a political competition, the regional politics wil be interesting as the 2027 game plan will be,” Mwangi noted.