Robina, since this BBI/Handshake came about Uhuru and his team had planned to go round Mt. Kenya and popularise it. In short sell ot to the region. NIS and other sources told them not to try. The "ground is not conducive...". So they bought their time.
Then people have been complaining about a lot of things.., from allegedly fight against counterfeits, fiasco in payments of shipment charges and tax, then prices of milk, coffee, tea... Then about buildings/houses being demolished among other issues.
Eventually Uhuru went to Embakassi Inland Depot and instructed release of goods/cargo. By then some businesses had closed/shut down. Then the banking policies are not friendly to "local man".. We have Fanatic Catholic Priest as CBK Governor who believes everyone is a thief and only the rich should bank.. These issues embittered people as they wondered what "this Uhuru is doing always drunk, lazy and with Raila" always saying Handshake/BBI..
Towards end last year, Jezebel and others came up with a plan that he be "tough, visible and he be seen with the people..." This is what he's doing at the moment.
He has decreed increases in prices on milk, tea, coffee, rice and other issues. We have to see the next few months whether there will be much difference.
That is how Uhuru" lost his people" even before BBI/Handshake.
At the same time all these were going on, Ruto had endeared himself with the people. He was socializing and visiting the area at a regular basis. Indeed some of his Harambees have been FRUITFUL to the point where Uhuru actually hijacked a Ruto Akorino Event. It's in that event he swore to deal with TangaTanga. By then they were well entrenched.
OFFICIALLY THERE IS NO UHURU vs RUTO battle in Mt. Kenya. Indeed Uhuru doesn't and so far he has not "taken on" Ruto directly or mentioned him directly. The battle is being fought in a circuitous manner. The talk is of BBI and unspoken is that Ruto is the "rebel of BBI.."
Now once BBI Rallies set foot in Mt. Kenya, let not Kieleweke/ODM politicians directly disparage Ruto or akina Kuria TangaTanga. It's then you will understand where loyalty of most Mt. Kenyans is.
NB: I have given you the background to show Uhuru lost his ground longer than he thinks. He cannot now come with Raila and TELLS PEOPLE HE WANTS TO BE EXECUTIVE PM! Ya kufanya nini?
I don't know about their credibility, but there is no "Ruto vs Uhuru" poll. It is Ruto vs Raila which is the wish and narrative in Tangatanga. Sadly it is not the reality.