Ruto challenges Kalonzo’s grip, vows to ‘snatch’ Ukambani

President William Ruto has taken a direct swipe at Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, vowing to wrest political control of the Ukambani region from the opposition ahead of the 2027 general election.

During a development tour of Makueni county yesterday, he said he would do everything possible to bring the region into government, accusing the opposition of keeping it in political and economic stagnation.

“This time, I have said by all means, Ukambani will not be in the opposition again. I will go with you to the government. Those who don’t want to join, that’s up to them,” Ruto said.

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The President said the region has lagged in development due to its prolonged alignment with the opposition, insisting his administration is ready to partner with all leaders willing to work for residents.

He dismissed the opposition as lacking a concrete agenda, since its leaders are preoccupied with the politics of division and resentment.

“If someone has no plan or agenda and is brainless, how will they change Ukambani or Kenya as a whole?” he asked.

Ruto accused the opposition of focusing solely on ending his presidency rather than presenting viable policies for national growth.

The President warned that he will defeat the opposition decisively if they don’t change their tactics and start marketing their plans to improve Kenyans’ lives.

“Those people I’m competing with—if you tell them anything about roads or electricity, they don’t know. Their mind starts with tribalism, hatred and blackmail,” he said.

Expressing regret for not “rescuing” Ukambani earlier, the President said he would not allow the region to remain in the opposition any longer.

“I was the problem; I allowed people to come and confuse Ukambani and take it to the opposition.”

“But now I am here, tell those people that Ruto has come and we have said Ukambani is in government. Will you tell them you’re tired of the opposition?” he asked.

Ruto’s remarks came as he launched and inspected several development projects, including the Emali–Ukia Road in Kibwezi West, Kasikeu and Mikuyu bridges and the issuance of title deeds in Emali and Kasikeu.

The four-day tour, which will also cover Kitui and Machakos counties, is laden with political undertones.

It comes when Kalonzo is stepping up efforts to position himself as the leading presidential challenger in the 2027 polls under the United Opposition, alongside former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.

Last month, Kalonzo and his allies skipped Mashujaa Day celebrations in Kitui that were attended by Ruto, signalling growing political friction between the two leaders.

In a pointed jab at his rival, Ruto said he was determined to “personally deliver” Ukambani to the government.

“By whatever means—front or back, right or left—Ukambani cannot be in the opposition again,” he vowed.

The President also criticised the opposition for allegedly planning to share government positions among themselves if they win in 2027.

“The government of Kenya is not yours. It belongs to all Kenyans. You cannot sit and decide to divide it among yourselves,” he said.

“If you continue with those ‘one-term’ and ‘must-go’ calls, you will run late with it, and I will beat you hands down in 2027.”

Ruto was accompanied by Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jnr, Labour CS Alfred Mutua, Tourism CS Rebecca Miano, Roads CS Davis Chirchir, Livestock PS Jonathan Mueke, and Kibwezi West MP Mwengi Mutuse.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

President Ruto’s four-day development tour of Ukambani, which began in Makueni county on Wednesday, November 12, marks one of his most aggressive political offensives in the region. Initially planned for April but postponed multiple times, the visit underscores his strategy to erode Kalonzo Musyoka’s dominance and rally the region behind his 2027 re-election bid.