Arise Media 
BY STEPHEN KILONZI
For weeks, Geoffrey Ruku had been uncharacteristically silent. The once-fiery Mbeere North MP—known for his sharp political rhetoric and morning talk show appearances—had disappeared from the public eye.
Speculation ran wild: Was he strategizing for his next move? Was he retreating after bruising political battles? Unbeknownst to many, fate was about to reward his years of resilience with a golden opportunity—nomination to President William Ruto’s Cabinet.
Ruku’s ascension to the Cabinet is not just a political triumph. It is a testament to sheer determination and the refusal to surrender to defeat. His story is one of grit, persistence, and an unyielding drive to succeed against all odds.
Standing at 6.5 feet, Ruku’s towering presence in politics is mirrored by his unwavering ambition. His journey began in 2002 when he vied for the Nthawa Ward Councilor seat. The electorate rejected him.
Unfazed, he re-emerged in 2013, setting his sights on the Siakago parliamentary seat, only to be turned away yet again.
Still determined, he aligned with the Federal Party of Kenya (FPK) in a bid to capture the Mbeere North parliamentary seat. Yet, victory eluded him.
The 2017 election cycle brought more disappointment—he lost the Jubilee Party nomination for Embu Senator to Njeru Ndwiga.
Undeterred, he pivoted back to the MP race, contesting as an independent candidate. Once again, he was defeated by incumbent Muriuki Njagagua. For many, such a string of losses would have signaled the end of the road. But not for Ruku.
The Turning Point: 2022 Victory
In 2022, armed with lessons from past failures and a refined political strategy, Ruku ran on the Democratic Party (DP) ticket.
Against all odds, he dethroned Njagagua, finally securing his long-coveted parliamentary seat. His victory was not just personal—it was symbolic of perseverance triumphing over despair.
Beyond elections, Ruku had mastered the art of building powerful political alliances. His loyalty to President William Ruto dates back to the days when Ruto served as Minister of Agriculture.
As the United Republican Party (URP) chairman in Embu County, Ruku played a pivotal role in grassroots mobilization, ensuring Ruto had a strong political base in the region.
After his 2022 election, Ruku quickly became one of the Kenya Kwanza government’s most vocal defenders, staunchly championing Ruto’s policies.
His loyalty did not go unnoticed. When a Cabinet reshuffle loomed, his name surfaced in the corridors of power.
The call finally came: Ruku was nominated as the Cabinet Secretary for Public Service, Human Capital Development, and Special Programs, replacing the ousted Justin Muturi.
Transforming Mbeere North
Beyond politics, Ruku’s impact on education in Mbeere North is undeniable. In just two and a half years as MP, he spearheaded projects that transformed once-dilapidated schools into modern learning centers.
His push for increased bursary allocations—raising disbursements from Sh5,000 to between Sh8,000 and Sh10,000—eased the financial burden on struggling parents, ensuring their children could attend school with minimal fees. Even his political rivals acknowledge his contributions.
A By-Election on the Horizon
With Ruku’s parliamentary seat now vacant, the political battlefield in Mbeere North is heating up. Heavyweights are already scrambling to position themselves for the impending by-election.
Manyatta MP Gitonga Mukunji, a close ally of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, has wasted no time in making his presence felt.
His visit to EAPC B.A.T Church in Nthawa Ward signaled Gachagua’s growing political influence in the region, accompanied by former Embu Deputy Speaker Steve Simba.
Meanwhile, in Muminji Ward, former Embu Senator Lenny Kivuti made a grand entrance at Emmanuel ACK Gangara Church.
Flanked by key MCAs—including Newton Karish (Muminji), Lenny Mwaniki Masters (Kiambere), and Ngari Mbaka (Mavuria)—Kivuti appears to be grooming Karish as the Bus Party’s flagbearer for the by-election, a move strategically tied to the 2027 gubernatorial race.
Ruku, despite his new Cabinet nomination, remains an influential figure in determining his successor. At a bursary issuance event at Jesus Flock Sanctuary Church in Siakago, he was accompanied by Embu business community chair Mungatana Mwaniki, former Mbeere North aspirant Stephen Ngari M’Makindu, and environmental expert Konji Kwayo.
Political analysts suggest that Ruku will be instrumental in backing a candidate aligned with his vision.
A Fierce Contest Looms
The upcoming by-election is set to be a high-stakes showdown. The DP Party, led by Justin Muturi, is expected to field a candidate. Ruku will throw his weight behind a successor.
Gachagua’s camp is already in motion. Kivuti’s Bus Party is making calculated moves. The political landscape of Mbeere North is on the brink of a fierce contest.
During the bursary event, Ruku welcomed President Ruto’s upcoming tour of the Mt. Kenya region and threw a challenge to skeptics: “If you think this government has done nothing, come to Mbeere North and see for yourself.”
From a politician who endured consecutive defeats to a Cabinet Secretary, Geoffrey Ruku’s story is a compelling lesson in resilience.
His journey proves that in politics—as in life—persistence and determination always pay off.
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