Tough day for Ruto’s allies as Ichung’wah, others heckled in Nyandarua
President Ruto, who was present, remained composed throughout and did not comment on the heckling in his brief remarks.
A political storm brewed in Nyandarua County on Thursday as a section of President William Ruto’s allies were met with jeers and heckling from angry residents.
The hostility was particularly directed at National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, who struggled to address the crowd amid chants branding him a traitor. Some members of the crowd also danced to offensive Kikuyu songs targeting the Kikuyu MP.
More To Read
Ichung’wah attempted to push through his speech but was met with defiance.
“Let me tell you. No one can shout me down. I cannot be intimidated,” he said as the jeering intensified.
He later tried to shift the focus to development matters, saying, “Mr President, the people of Kware know affordable housing is here, and all the work should be given to the youth.”
However, this did little to calm the crowd, which continued to disrupt his speech.
Overwhelmed by the relentless heckling, Ichung’wah eventually handed back the microphone but not before issuing a warning.
“I want to tell you, President Ruto, that here in Ol Kalou and the whole of Nyandarua, no one can intimidate me,” he said.
Despite the tension, some leaders, including Nyandarua Governor Kiarie Badilisha, Woman Representative Faith Gitau and Ol Kalou MP David Kiaraho, were allowed to address the gathering without interruption.
President Ruto, who was present, remained composed throughout and did not comment on the heckling in his brief remarks.
The president was accompanied by a delegation of leaders from the Mt Kenya region, including newly nominated Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku and Information and Communication Cabinet Secretary William Kabogo.
His tour covered Ol Kalou town in Ol Kalou Constituency and later Engineer town in Kinangop.
Notably, a section of Mt Kenya leaders, including most members of the county assembly, were absent at the event. They were reportedly engaged in a separate meeting with Nyandarua Senator John Methu, a close ally of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
Amid the political undertones, President Ruto came bearing pledges for Nyandarua residents.
“I received a detailed memorandum of the issues affecting Nyandarua residents from your governor, Dr Kiarie Badilisha, and I assure the residents that the document will be implemented in full,” he said.
Key among the promises was the revival of the stalled JM Mashujaa Level 6 Hospital Complex.
“I have directed the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) and other technical teams to take charge of the construction and have it completed in one year, then we hand it back to the county government,” Ruto said.
The KDF’s involvement follows a model first adopted during former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s tenure in the construction of Engineer Level Four Hospital.
The President also promised to complete the long-stalled Ol Kalou Nyayo Stadium and the Kirima Water Project, which will receive Sh600 million.
Other commitments included improving electricity connections, completing stalled roads, developing St Luke Dam for Kinangop, and finalizing the Nyandarua County headquarters, which has been under construction for over a decade.
Governor Badilisha emphasised the county’s long-standing neglect.
“Mr President, Nyandarua was home to Mau Mau. We still have many residents living as squatters. We request your intervention to ensure that they are issued with title deeds,” he appealed.
He also highlighted an administrative challenge, noting that the county’s new lands registry in Ol Kalou town remains unoccupied.
“Ministry of Lands officials have refused to occupy it and still operate from Nyahururu town in Laikipia County. We request your intervention to end the suffering of Nyandarua residents seeking land-related services,” he said.
One of the biggest announcements during the visit was the establishment of Nyandarua University College under the University of Nairobi.
President Ruto confirmed that the institution had been gazetted and that the Kenya University and Colleges Placement Service (KUCCPS) would soon start admitting students. The Ministry of Education has also posted key staff to facilitate operations.
The university, which had been in the pipeline for years, is expected to boost higher education access in the region. Other stalled projects, including road networks, have also been revived, with contractors resuming work.
The promises come just days after Mt Kenya governors visited State House, where they reportedly secured commitments for the fast-tracking of pending projects.
While the president’s visit was meant to reinforce his administration’s commitment to development, the hostile reception of some of his allies highlighted growing discontent among sections of the Mt Kenya electorate.
Top Stories Today
