Ruto Rebuilds Nairobi Network As Shebesh, Kwamboka Back 2027 Bid
By Our Correspondent
President William Ruto has recalibrated his Nairobi political outreach, turning to seasoned politicians to help consolidate support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The renewed push has drawn in former Nairobi Woman Representative Rachel Shebesh, who has publicly pledged to campaign for Ruto’s second-term bid.
Shebesh, once a close ally of former president Uhuru Kenyatta, said her return followed a long political hiatus after the August 2022 elections.
“During my time away, I reassessed the political environment and Nairobi’s needs, and I am convinced the President has been judged unfairly on development,” Shebesh said.
She had previously campaigned vigorously for former prime minister Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential race, making her shift politically significant.
Shebesh spoke while meeting Kisii leaders in Nairobi alongside former nominated senator Beatrice Kwamboka, during a sensitisation forum for Ruto’s agenda.
She said the meetings were designed to equip community leaders with factual information to counter criticism and explain the rationale behind the broad-based government arrangement.
“There has been more noise about negatives, yet there is substantial progress that deserves fair attention,” Shebesh told the gathering.
The two leaders are spearheading a new countywide mobilisation platform dubbed Umoja, Pamoja, which Shebesh said avoids ethnic appeals in favour of issue-based engagement.
She explained that the initiative would focus on service delivery, including roads, healthcare, agriculture and housing, while linking residents directly with government officials.
Kwamboka said the Kisii community in Nairobi strongly supports Ruto and is keen on securing elective representation across the capital’s constituencies.
“Despite our numbers in Nairobi, we lack sub-county representation, and that must change through organised political participation,” Kwamboka said.
Shebesh said the 2027 contest will hinge on uniting Nairobi voters, especially young people, around ideas rather than tribal loyalties, citing growing Gen Z rejection of ethnic politics.
The outreach aligns with Ruto’s broader Nairobi strategy, which seeks to merge Kenya Kwanza allies with opposition figures under the expanded governing arrangement.
About The Author
