Ruto declares 2027 polls a two-horse race

President William Ruto

President William Ruto has declared that the 2027 General Election will be a two-horse race, pitching his Kenya Kwanza administration against the opposition, which he accused of stalling the country’s development.

Wanyonyi to reignite rivalry with Arop, Sedjati in Oslo Athletics

KSSSA Nyanza region to roll out digital player verification to curb cheating Sports

Speaking during his development tour of Kitui county on Thursday, Ruto said the contest will be between “team forward” — those focused on transforming the country — and “team backward,” referring to the opposition.

“We have two teams: team forward and team backward. In which team are you?” Ruto asked the residents.

The President accused the opposition of frustrating and opposing government programmes aimed at improving the lives of Kenyans.

“These people I’m competing with have only three plans: Wantam, Kasongo and Must Go. Their politics starts with tribalism, moves to insults and ends with opposition,” he said, drawing cheers from the crowd.

Ruto said the opposition lacks a coherent plan or vision for the country.

“They are opposing everything — housing, markets, the education model and SHA — not because they have better alternatives, but because they have no plan,” he said.

The President urged MPs to back his proposal to establish an Infrastructure Fund, which he said would accelerate the implementation of major projects across the country.

“I’m taking that plan to Parliament. I have told our MPs that we are establishing a new fund. I urge them to approve it so that we can tarmac 10,000 kilometres of new roads, build 50 mega dams and add 10,000 megawatts to the national grid,” he said.

Ruto said he has now embarked on ‘real’ development after spending his early years in office fixing the country’s economy.

The President said his interventions have stalled the strength of the shilling against the dollar, reduced the cost of basic commodities and tamed inflation.

He used the occasion to woo the Ukambani region — long seen as Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s political stronghold — urging residents to join his government’s development agenda.

“The era of waiting and being in the opposition has come to an end. I made a mistake for not coming for you earlier, but now I am here to take Ukambani forward,” he told the gathering.

He criticised the opposition for allegedly plotting to share government among themselves, excluding other communities, if they beat him in the 2027 polls.

“The government of Kenya is not yours. It is for all Kenyans. You cannot sit down and say, I will take 50 per cent and the other person 10 per cent. What about other Kenyans?” he asked.

“If you continue one term, Kasongo and Must Go calls, you will run late with it, and I will beat you hands down (in 2027),” he warned.

During the visit, Ruto announced the issuance of 42,000 title deeds to Kitui landowners, inspected the Tulia–Mbondoni Road, and launched the Kitui Last Mile Electrification Project in Migwani.

He also commissioned the tarmacking of the Kamuw’ongo–Kandwia Road and handed over the new Kamuw’ongo Fresh Produce Market in Mwingi North.

Accompanying the President were Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Kitui Governor Julius Malombe, Cabinet Secretaries Alfred Mutua (Labour), Alice Wahome (Lands) and Davis Chirchir (Roads), alongside several principal secretaries, MPs, and MCAs.

Ruto said his government remains open to working with leaders from across the political divide to advance the country’s development agenda.

“We now have a broad-based government that brings together all Kenyans, including the people of Kitui and the entire Ukambani region,” he said.