Former Nyeri Town MP Ngunjiri Wambugu has called on the united opposition to allocate either the presidential or deputy presidential slot to the Mt Kenya region ahead of the 2027 General Election, arguing that the region’s political weight cannot be ignored.
In a statement shared on his official Facebook page on Wednesday night, Wambugu said recent developments within the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) had reshaped the political landscape, particularly after President William Ruto hosted thousands of party aspirants at State House.
According to Wambugu, the meeting confirmed that Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is firmly entrenched as the number two in the ruling party’s hierarchy.
“One of the outcomes from today’s UDA meeting is the reality that Kindiki is in the No. 2 slot to stay,” Wambugu stated, adding that this reality presents a clear challenge to the opposition as it seeks to craft a competitive alliance.
He argued that with Mt Kenya already secured within the top leadership of the ruling coalition, any serious opposition formation must respond by offering the region either the top seat or the deputy position.
Wambugu noted that Mt Kenya voters attach great importance to power-sharing arrangements and symbolic representation at the highest level of government.
“This means the united opposition must give the No. 1 or No. 2 slot to Mt Kenya. The Mt takes these things very seriously, sana,” he said.
His remarks come against the backdrop of UDA’s claims of growing grassroots strength, particularly in the Rift Valley and Mt Kenya regions.
The party recently announced that these two regions account for the highest number of fully paid-up aspirants ahead of the 2027 polls, a sign of strong organisational backing.
UDA also reported increased activity in regions such as the Coast and Western Kenya compared to the 2022 election cycle, pointing to expanding national appeal.
However, Wambugu’s comments underscore the central role Mt Kenya is expected to play in shaping opposition calculations as coalition talks intensify.
As the race to 2027 gathers momentum, his statement is likely to reignite debate within opposition circles over regional balance, leadership slots, and the path to assembling a winning national coalition.
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