Mt Kenya leaders accuse Ruto of ethnic profiling

Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) members, led by the Secretary General John Methu, during a media briefing on the Ebola. [Benard Orwongo, Standard]

A section of Mt Kenya region leaders allied to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has accused President William Ruto of ethnic profiling against communities from the Mt Kenya region.

The leaders, led by Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) Secretary-General-designate John Methu, alleged that Ruto had orchestrated a "41 versus 1" narrative to divide the Gema community, which comprises the Gikuyu, Embu, Meru and Tharaka communities.

"From the outset, we want it to be publicly known that any violence, destruction of property or loss of life in the Mt Kenya region is state-sponsored," the leaders said yesterday during a press conference.

They added: "We want to remind Mr William Ruto of a simple story: former Liberian President Charles Taylor is still serving a 50-year jail term in a British prison following his involvement in the civil war in Sierra Leone and conviction for crimes against humanity, including murder and rape, among others."

They described the President and ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar as "notorious hate mongers and tribal terrorists", saying: "We do not know what bitter obsession the two leaders have with the people of Mt Kenya."

According to the leaders, there was a scheme by the State to foment electoral and state-sponsored violence to subvert the will of the people and rule by an iron fist in the 2027 polls.

"Mr William Ruto, we want to advise you and your warmongers that Kenyans are more enlightened than ever before. The world is more alert, and the ICC is closer to you than ever before. The world must watch the brewing state-sponsored violence and culture of goonism in Kenya courtesy of Mr William Ruto and his mafia," they said.

The leaders, who included MPs John Kaguchia (Mukurwe-ini), Edward Muriu (Gatanga), Wanjiku Muhia (Kipipiri), and Senators John Kinyua (Laikipia) and Joe Methu (Murang'a), cited incidents in which the government allegedly sponsored violence to suppress Gen Z protests and discourage peaceful demonstrations.

"Hundreds of our young people were killed by this regime. We buried some, while others have never been seen again. We have not forgotten. Others were arraigned in court on terrorism charges, but they were later released because these were trumped-up charges by the government. Peaceful protests in the Mt Kenya region were infiltrated by state-sponsored militia operating under police protection."

They also cited the torching of national government offices in Ol Kalou, where seven vehicles were burnt, the burning of Kikuyu Law Courts and sub-county offices, and vandalism witnessed in Naivasha and Murang'a, claiming that no action had been taken against the perpetrators.

The leaders further claimed they had received credible intelligence that the State would use goons to infiltrate the planned June 2026 Gen Z anniversary protests against the Finance Bill 2026 and destroy property belonging to people from the Mt Kenya region.

Turning on UDA-elected leaders from Mt Kenya and their ultimatum to the President to sack Omar, the DCP leaders claimed they were merely using the Secretary-General as a scapegoat as they prepared to ditch UDA and join smaller parties affiliated with the President.

"You gave him 48 hours to resign. Now it is more than 350 hours later. Walk out if you are men and women enough. Why haven't you called on Amason Kingi, John Mbadi, Kithure Kindiki and William Ruto to resign?" they posed.

They added: "Where were you when goons were wreaking havoc on our people? Where were you when Ruto unleashed goons on the people of Kenya? Where were you when Gikomba Market traders, Wakulima traders in Githurai and traders in Roysambu were being harassed? Where were you when night demolitions were being carried out by Mr William Ruto? Where were you when women and children were attacked in churches in Witima, Kariobangi and Mwiki? Had you lost your senses and only now regained them?"

The leaders wondered why their counterparts in government had failed to rebuke Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, whom they accused of engaging in a tribal offensive against the people of Mt Kenya.

"Mr William Ruto has perfected a script to stifle the people of Mt Kenya ahead of the 2027 General Election and ensure voter suppression, voter apathy and their complete demobilisation. To the people of Mt Kenya, we stand with you as your leaders. You are Kenyans, and the majority of the people of Kenya stand with you. Be strong. We remind you that we are still sons and daughters of Mau Mau," Methu said on behalf of his colleagues.