This archive report was first published on 11 November 2019.
President Uhuru Kenyatta's decision to cancel his visit to Murang'a county has left residents feeling abandoned and confused about the future of the region's politics.
The cancellation, which was announced at the last minute, was the fourth time the President had called off a visit to the area, sparking concerns about the unity of the Jubilee Party, which the region overwhelmingly supported in the 2017 general elections.
Deputy President William Ruto, who was also scheduled to visit the area, cancelled his trip at the last minute and headed to Narok for a religious function, further fuelling speculation about the rift within the ruling party.
Political analysts have linked the cancellation to the growing discord within the Jubilee Party, which has seen the emergence of two factions: Kieleweke, backed by the President, and Tanga Tanga, allied to the Deputy President.
The rift has led to concerns that the party's campaign promises in the region are not being implemented, with politicians warning that the Mt Kenya region would be hostile to the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) unless significant development projects are launched in the area.
Yesterday's cancellation was the latest in a series of disappointments for Murang'a residents, who had been mobilized to receive the President in the county. The region has been a stronghold of the Jubilee Party, but the ongoing feud between the President and the Deputy President has left many feeling abandoned and disillusioned.
