Kenya’s President, William Ruto, has intensified his criticism of opposition leaders, accusing them of relying on tribal divisions, political hostility and anti-government rhetoric instead of presenting concrete proposals to address the country’s challenges ahead of the 2027 General Election.
During rallies at Chepkorio Trading Centre in Elgeyo Marakwet County and Eldama Ravine in Baringo County, Ruto argued that his political opponents lacked a coherent programme for governing the country and were more interested in removing him from office than explaining how they would lead Kenya.
“Our competitors are afraid of having a plan because they are unsure of how they are going to deliver on it,” the President said.
“They are afraid of developing an agenda and plan because they don’t know how to deliver it. They want power without responsibility.”
The President also criticised Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, accusing them of building their political campaigns around calls for his removal rather than proposing alternative policies.
“They only have three issues: Kasongo, Wantam and Must Go. Those people are useless. They don’t have a plan, vision and agenda,” he said.
Ruto expressed confidence in his chances of securing another term, maintaining that the opposition would not defeat him even if its leading figures agreed to form a united political front.
“They are saying that if they don’t unite, I will defeat them, but I want to tell them, whether you unite or not, I will still defeat you,” he said.
“I will defeat you because you are selling us hate, fear, anger, negativity and tribalism.”
His remarks come as opposition figures explore ways to consolidate their political strength and agree on a common presidential candidate to challenge him in the 2027 elections.
However, Ruto argued that bringing opposition parties together would not, by itself, secure electoral victory. He maintained that Kenyans needed to evaluate political leaders on the basis of their proposed policies, development priorities and ability to fulfil campaign promises.
The President cited his 2022 election manifesto as evidence of what he described as an accountable approach to leadership, pointing to commitments covering healthcare, agriculture, housing, fairness and education.
“In 2022, I went to Kenyans and told them we have an agenda to transform Kenya. Health, agriculture, housing, fairness and education. Today, I can account for every chapter of the manifesto upon which every Kenyan decided to have a government,” Ruto said.
“That is the reason we are holding every leader, starting with myself, to account for what they sold to the people of Kenya.”
He maintained that the country’s development should be guided by clearly defined policies rather than campaigns driven by resentment towards the government.
“Kenya is going to be developed not because of anger but a plan. Don’t sell us anger,” he said.
Ruto Defends Road Maintenance Levy
Beyond his criticism of the opposition, the President defended the government’s decision to retain the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF), pushing back against calls to abolish the levy.
Ruto took aim at Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, a vocal critic of aspects of the administration’s economic policies, over proposals to scrap the charge.
“I have heard some people are trying to lecture me. They are saying that we scrap road maintenance levy. I want to tell these people, stop that stupidity. RMLF is for building roads in Kenya,” he said.
The President said the government was pursuing road construction projects covering 6,000 roads, with particular attention to areas he described as having been neglected in previous development programmes.
He argued that the projects reflected his administration’s commitment to spreading infrastructure investment across the country rather than concentrating resources in selected regions.
“Now, we are putting money to build roads in every part of Kena,. Now you are telling us stupid things that we scrap RMLF,” he said.
President Defends Nationwide Stadium Projects
Ruto also defended plans to construct stadiums in different parts of Kenya, presenting the programme as part of his broader commitment to equitable development.
He said investment in public infrastructure should benefit communities across the country, regardless of their geographical location.
“I am building stadiums across the country. I am a man of equity. I don’t want unfairness. We agree we build everywhere: Central, Northeastern, Coast, Western, Nyanza, Eastern, Nairobi and everywhere,” he said.
Ruto Targets Affordable Housing Levy Critics
The President also criticised Senator Sifuna over his opposition to the affordable housing levy, arguing that abandoning the programme would undermine efforts to improve housing conditions for low-income households.
Ruto accused the senator of overlooking the needs of people living in informal settlements and defended the levy as a means of supporting the government’s affordable housing initiative.
“There is a man called Mr Empty. He is telling us to stop the affordable housing levy so that people can continue living in slums. I want to tell Mr Empty to give us a break. Leave us alone,” he said.
The President’s remarks underscore the emerging political contest ahead of the 2027 General Election, with his administration defending its development agenda while opposition leaders seek to build a united challenge to his presidency.
As the election approaches, the debate is likely to centre on competing economic policies, infrastructure spending, public levies and the performance of the current administration.
