In the 2022 election, Ruto garnered about 2.9 million votes, roughly 40% of his national total of 7.17 million, from the region’s 10 counties. Based on that scenario, Kuria said Ruto could theoretically win re-election even without a single vote from Mt. Kuria said the deciding blocs, which he likened to the swing states Ohio and Iowa in US elections, would be Western Kenya and Mt Kenya East, comprising Meru, Tharaka-Nithi and Embu. Kuria further argued that, in his view, only voters in Mt Kenya West are genuinely committed to removing Ruto from office. Kuria said even the populous Mt Kenya region has only about six million registered voters, meaning it represents roughly 25% of the total.