Sen. John Methu Accuse President Ruto of Hiring Crowd to Cheer Up Him In Kiambu County

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has accused President William Ruto of deploying paid crowds to fabricate enthusiasm during his surprise visit to Kiambu County on Sunday.

The allegations come amid Ruto's ongoing efforts to reclaim support in the Kikuyu heartland, where public discontent over unfulfilled promises has simmered for months.

President Ruto landed in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, early Sunday morning for an End-of-Year service and fundraiser at the African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Karure Parish.

Accompanied by Kiambu Governor Kimani Wamatangi, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, and other local leaders, the event drew what organizers described as a "strong turnout" of residents and political allies.

Ruto used the platform to announce ambitious infrastructure plans, including the revival of the Thika-Museum Hill Expressway and a cabinet-approved strategy to unlock KSh 5 trillion in investments, positioning Kiambu as a "majority county" in the 2027 elections.

However, Senator Methu, a vocal critic from neighboring Nyandarua County, dismissed the gathering as a "staged spectacle" orchestrated by State House.

In a series of posts on X (formerly Twitter), Methu claimed the cheering crowds many of whom waved branded banners and chanted pro-Ruto slogans were bused in from afar and compensated with small payments, echoing tactics the senator has previously lambasted during Ruto's earlier Mt. Kenya tours.

"Give someone KSh 300 and they'll cheer you for 10 hours. People are suffering, but Ruto's team knows how to buy applause," Methu posted, referencing viral clips from the event showing enthusiastic but seemingly coordinated responses.

He further alleged that the fundraiser, which reportedly raised millions for church projects, was inflated by "off-the-books logistical support" from the presidency, including helicopters and security details mirroring broader accusations of taxpayer-funded political theater.

Methu's remarks revive a familiar rift in the region. Back in April 2025, during Ruto's tour of Nyandarua Kiambu's close neighbor the senator mocked the heckling of Ichung'wah at a public rally, attributing the initial applause to "paid listeners" who turned hostile once payments dried up.

That incident, where residents openly jeered government speakers, highlighted growing disillusionment in Mt. Kenya over economic hardships, including stalled road projects and perceived neglect in favor of other regions like Nyanza.