Former Nairobi Women Representative Rachael Shebesh has openly declared her support for President William Ruto as political alignments begin to take shape ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Shebesh, who has been largely missing in action from the political scene, returned to the spotlight at a forum in Nairobi where she was candid about her loyalties.
“Mimi katika hii mambo ya siasa, niko katika mrengo ya President. That is true. I have done this before na mnanijua. Mimi ndio nilisimamia the last election. We know how the game is played. But even when you know the game, mambo ni different,” she said.
Addressing a charged crowd, Shebesh appealed for support in mobilizing grassroots ‘foot soldiers’ for her movement, which she calls ‘Umoja Pamoja’.
Former Nairobi Woman Rep Rachel Shebesh Endorses Ruto TUTAM says his Game iko Juu Sana! pic.twitter.com/7tWpyxYEN9
— Mutembei TV (@MutembeiTV) February 7, 2026
“I was in the government and I know how it works. The government cannot deliver in one day. I also know that when there is noise and politics, the people are never able to see the work which the government is doing,” she added.
“Are you ready to be his (Ruto’s) mouthpiece?” she asked. The jubilant crowd responded, “Yes!”
Shebesh is a seasoned politician who served as Nairobi’s first Women Representative from 2013 to 2017.
Her absence had been noted online; her last Facebook post was on 11 August 2024, when she updated her profile picture.
Some of her 120,000 followers reflected this in the comments, with Jackline Otieno writing, “You have been missing in action for long Mama.”
She first made national headlines in 2013 after a physical altercation with then-Nairobi Governor Evans Kidero during a workers’ strike.
The incident, captured on video, sparked public outcry and legal threats. Kidero faced assault charges, while Shebesh was accused of creating a disturbance.
The drama ended in 2014 with an out-of-court settlement and public reconciliation, with Shebesh later claiming she received a substantial financial payout to drop the charges and prioritise county stability.
Before entering elective politics, she built a successful career in fashion, interior design, and administration.
She has also held significant international roles, including as a UN champion for risk reduction in Africa and as an advisor to UNIFEM.
Following her tenure in elective office, Shebesh was appointed Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) in the Ministry of Public Service, Youth, and Gender Affairs under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
