This archive report was first published on 24 August 2019.
Deputy President William Ruto's much-hyped rally in Muranga on May 11th is facing a major setback as politicians and church leaders from the Mt. Kenya region shy away from the event.
The rally, which was expected to be a show of strength for Ruto's Tanga Tanga faction, has been marred by intense lobbying from State House to minimize its impact.
According to sources, a number of leaders from the region have grown cold feet, fearing backlash from President Uhuru Kenyatta and his handlers.
The rally's organizers had hoped to use the event to portray Jubilee as having two centers of power, with Ruto calling the shots in the region.
However, the choice of Muranga as the venue for the rally has been seen as a move to upset the traditional power base in the region, which has always revolved around Nyeri and Kiambu counties.
Church leaders who had earlier pledged their support for the rally have also backed out, citing concerns that the event would paint the church in a bad light.
They argue that attending the rally would be seen as playing into the hands of politicians, and would undermine the church's role in spiritually uplifting society.
As the rally's attendance continues to dwindle, it remains to be seen whether Ruto's Tanga Tanga faction will be able to achieve its goals.
