Cold Reception As Ruto Tries To Recreate His Famous Kikuyu Greetings In Nyeri

President William Ruto received a noticeably cold reception during his visit to Nyeri County on Thursday, an area widely known as the political home of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Several amateur videos shared widely on Facebook showed a calm and less energetic crowd compared to the huge rallies that once welcomed the president before the 2022 elections.

In the clips circulating online, Ruto stepped before residents and tried to connect with them using the Kikuyu language. This was the same approach he often used during the intense campaigns that helped him secure strong support across Central Kenya.

Standing before the gathering, the president greeted the crowd with the traditional Kikuyu greeting “Muriega,” a friendly plural phrase that loosely means “How are you all?” The greeting has long been used by leaders addressing Kikuyu audiences to create a warm and respectful connection.

Some people in the crowd responded politely. However the response appeared quiet and measured rather than the loud cheers that once defined Ruto’s campaign events in the region.

The moment that drew the most attention happened shortly after the greeting. Ruto asked the audience to raise their hands in response to his greeting. In the past such requests often sparked excitement and thousands of hands would rise instantly.

This time the videos showed only a few scattered hands lifting in the crowd. The reaction appeared slow and limited which quickly caught the attention of people watching the recordings online.

Observers say the difference was striking when compared with earlier rallies. Before the 2022 General Election the president regularly received thunderous applause across the Mt Kenya region where enthusiastic supporters filled fields and stadiums.

Many analysts believe the change may be linked to the political tensions that emerged after the fallout between Ruto and his former deputy Gachagua. The two leaders once worked closely and their alliance played a key role in mobilising massive voter turnout in Central Kenya.

Since the fallout the political mood in parts of the region has appeared uncertain. Some residents have continued supporting government projects while others seem more cautious in their public enthusiasm.

Despite the subdued reception Ruto remained composed during the visit. He continued addressing residents and spoke about development projects that his administration says are meant to benefit farmers and traders in the region.

Online reactions have been mixed. Some social media users described the scene as a sign of shifting political loyalties while others argued that a single rally cannot fully measure public support.