National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah has raised eyebrows after openly expressing his frustrations with President William Ruto’s leadership style. Once considered among the President’s most trusted allies, Ichung’wah now says he feels sidelined as Ruto increasingly gravitates towards opposition figures.
According to Ichung’wah, the President no longer answers his calls—a stark contrast to the close working relationship they previously enjoyed. Instead, Ruto is said to be spending more time engaging ODM leaders, many of whom did not support his bid for the presidency in 2022.
The Kikuyu MP argues that loyal Kenya Kwanza foot soldiers, who sacrificed time and energy to rally support for Ruto, have been left in the cold. “We fought day and night to make sure he won the election, but now those who opposed him seem to be the ones dictating his every move,” Ichung’wah reportedly lamented.
This development highlights growing cracks within the ruling coalition. Analysts suggest that Ruto’s shift towards opposition leaders could be part of a broader political strategy aimed at consolidating national unity or weakening Raila Odinga’s grip on ODM. However, such moves appear to be rubbing Kenya Kwanza insiders the wrong way.
Ichung’wah’s remarks may also expose the frustrations of many Mount Kenya leaders, who feel their unwavering support during the campaigns is being taken for granted. As one of Ruto’s closest allies from the region, his public outcry paints a picture of discontent that may deepen if the President continues to rely heavily on former rivals.
The situation raises key questions: Is Ruto intentionally sidelining his loyalists for political expediency, or is this simply part of his broader plan to build bridges across the political divide? Whatever the case, Ichung’wah’s complaint is a reminder that political friendships in Kenya can shift as quickly as the tides.
