UDA in Trouble? Ruto-Gachagua Feud Threatens Party's Future in Mt. Kenya

• A new survey has shown that the popularity of Ruto's United Democratic Alliance (UDA) is declining in the central region
• The survey attributed the decline to the ongoing tensions between President William Ruto and Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua
• The survey also revealed that 82% of respondents believe Gachagua has no chance of winning the presidency if he runs in 2027

CHECK OUT: Learn at Your Own Pace! Our Flexible Online Course allows you to fit copywriting skills development around your busy schedule. Enroll Now!

Faith Chandianya, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and Current Affairs in Kenya

UDA faces the potential loss of popularity in the Mt. Kenya region if the ongoing disputes between President William Ruto and his deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, continue.

A new survey shows that UDA's popularity in the Mt. Kenya region is dwindling due to the feud between Ruto and Gachagua. Photo: Rigathi Gachagua/William Ruto. Source: Twitter

How will Ruto-Gachagua dispute reduce UDA's popularity?

According to a recent survey by Politrack Africa, which polled 2,300 respondents from the 11 counties in the Mt. Kenya region, the ongoing tensions are diminishing the popularity of the UDA party in that area.

When asked whether the ongoing disputes would impact UDA, 53% of the respondents agreed that the duo were navigating a risky political course.

While speaking to TUKO.co.ke, Emmanuel Kutosi, a data analyst at Politrack, stated that the ongoing conflict, if prolonged, would significantly hinder UDA's expansion in the Mt. Kenya region beyond its success in the 2022 elections.

"If they proceed as they are, then the people will see DP Gachagua as a victim and will listen to his voice on the way forward," said Kutosi.

Who do Kenyans prefer to run as Ruto's running mate in 2027?

In the survey conducted from June 1 to 13, 50.2% of respondents indicated their preference for President Ruto to choose Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki Kithure as his deputy for the 2027 elections.

Kindiki surpassed Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro and Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who received 19.7% and 10.2% of the vote, respectively.

Kikuyu MP Kimani Ichungwah scored 8.1%, while National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula and Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru had 7.1% and 4.2% respectively.

Regarding Gachagua's prospects of winning the presidency in 2027 if he separates from Ruto, 82% of respondents believed he had no chance of securing the position.

Only 4.2% of the respondents believed the Deputy President has a realistic chance of winning the country's highest political office in 2027.

Ruto clashes with Gachagua over Mt.Kenya unity push

Earlier, on Monday June 10 TUKO.co.ke reported that Gachagua told off Ruto and other Kenya Kwanza Alliance leaders equating his push for Mt. Kenya unity to tribalism.

While speaking in Nakuru County in the presence of Ruto, Gachagua vowed to continue with his mission, pointing out that the unity he was calling for did not mean targeting other communities.

When the president rose to speak, he seemingly rebuked Gachagua stating that the country has no time for leaders to advance tribal politics.

The president warned political leaders that the journey he started with his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, to unite Kenyans in 2013 remains on course.