President William Ruto is consolidating his support base by resorting to use different groups that have a huge presence in the grassroots.
Other than relying on the political class, the President has met groups such as union officials, teachers, traders, boda boda operators with chiefs being the last.
Ruto has intensified engagements with various regional and community delegations at State House in recent months as he seeks to bolster his support ahead of the next general election.
The head of state has opened the gates of State House, where the groups arrive in their numbers, have a meal before being addressed by the President himself. The delegations later leave with ‘an allowance’ or fare back home.
On Tuesday, Ruto met more than 15,000 chiefs and their assistant chiefs, being the first time such has happened in the country’s history.
He directed that the chiefs be given Sh15,000 per quarter to facilitate their work, while village elders ‘Nyumba Kumi’ who help them will get a Sh3,000 monthly income.
He also directed the promotion of chiefs and assistant chiefs who have successfully completed their respective training programmes.
“Chiefs and assistant chiefs who have completed training will be promoted, while all other ranks will be elevated after undergoing vetting,” Ruto said adding, “Everybody will be promoted to a new rank.”
The administrators were also promised goodies that include laptops and affordable housing, even as they left State House with Sh50,000 each as ‘reimbursement’ for transport.
On September 13, President Ruto hosted 10,000 teachers led by their respective union officials at State House, Nairobi, in what was termed as the ‘Walimu na Rais’ forum, where they were paid Sh10 million as fare.
According to Kenya Union of Post-Primary Education Teachers national chairperson Omboko Milemba, the 10,000 teachers received Sh10,000 each as "transport reimbursement."
During the ‘Waalimu na Rais Forum,’ the President promised to address a number of issues raised by teachers, key among them the powers and functions of the TSC, under which the recruitment, management and welfare of all teachers is vested.
“I called you here not because of politics but so that we can talk on matters of education and Kenya at large. I want you, through your officials, to address the matters concerning you that I can deal with as part of the Kenyan professional community.”
And in the end, the teachers raised ‘two-term finger salute, which is synonymous to the President’s quest for a second term.
In August and September, Ruto hosted two delegations of professionals and grassroots leaders from the Gusii community in State House.
The first one on August 15 was led by Education CS Migos Ogamba and Majority Whip Sylvanus Osoro while the second one on September 11 was led by Kisii Governor Simba Arati.
The first visit came just a week after the President held a major empowerment forum at the house on the hill, attended by more than 15,000 Nairobi residents. Sh500 million was spent during the empowerment program conducted that day.
On August 7, Ruto hosted national officials of boda boda operators at State House, Nairobi, where he directed all motorcycles detained in police stations to be returned to the owners, while promising to review the tax regime to bring down the price of boda bodas.
“I will go to Parliament to get rid of taxes, and that will reduce the cost of motorbikes,” Ruto said. “I want ordinary people to be able to buy motorbikes. The motorbike will no longer cost Sh190,000; it will cost Sh95,000. That is half.”
“From the dusty streets of rural towns to the fast-paced roads of our cities, boda boda moves more than just people and goods; they move the economy forward, they are symbols of resilience, ambition, and youth-led progress,” Ruto’s UDA party said in a statement.
On August 8, the head of state met a delegation of political, business, women and grassroots leaders from Kitui county and a similar delegation from Murang’a county on September 12.
And on September 29, the President met a team of vulnerable members of the community and Social Health Authority officials at State House, during the launch of the SHA sponsorship programme.
On Friday, August 29, Ruto hosted grassroots leaders from Meru County at State House, which was led by Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, with Deputy President Kithure Kindiki also present during the meeting.
"Through bold, deliberate and resolute decisions, we are delivering the largest markets' development in Kenya’s history, including 30 modern markets in Kiambu County alone at a cost of Sh4.5 billion. In addition, we are building 15,000 housing units in the county at a total of Sh30 billion," the President told the delegation.
In May last year, the President met the leadership of the Kenya Medical Practitioners, Pharmacists and Dentists Union, led by Secretary-General Davji Atellah.
"By continually engaging with stakeholders, including labour unions, we aim to promote industrial harmony and sustainable solutions to our challenges," Ruto said in a statement on X after the meeting.
Other than these meetings, Ruto’s allies, led by Kindiki, have been engaged in a whirlwind of economic empowerment activities in different parts of the country.
The President has dismissed criticisms that he has degraded the dignity of the State House by hosting campaign rallies on the grounds through a constant flow of delegations.
“Kuna wengi wanalalamika ya kwamba nimefungua makao haya yakawa makao ya watu rejareja…ati hapa panatakikana ati mahali ya watu wakubwa wakubwa, mabalozi…wale wanalalamika eti nimeshusha heshima ya State House…mimi nataka niwaambie sijashusha heshima ya State House, nimeinua heshima ya Wakenya,” he said.
Kibwezi West MP, who is the President's ally, defended the State House meetings, saying such forums are used to engage with the public and explain government policies and development agenda.
"When you are elected, you enter into a social contract with the people, and you must continuously engage them. The time for campaigns is not yet here; this is the time to work. That’s exactly what the President is doing," Mutuse said.
Former Attorney General Justin Muturi and Kisii Senator Richard Onyonka, however, accused Ruto of turning State House into his campaign headquarters.
"State House should now be declared the official campaign headquarters for William Ruto," Muturi said, adding a warning that the President is openly violating the constitution while wishing he enjoyed the imperial presidency, which was under the old constitution.
"Ruto has not just violated our laws but the Constitution of Kenya by purporting to usurp powers of independent commissions such as the Salaries and Remuneration Commission and Public Service Commission when he announces new perks and promotions of chiefs," Muturi said.
According to the ex-AG, since Parliament is weak, only Kenyans can deal with Ruto at the ballot in 2027.
On his side, Onyonka said the President was using State House to intimidate the public by hoodwinking them on the "bottom-up" access to the house on the hill.
"We don’t have a law that stops the President from campaigning from State House. However, the President ought to have differentiated between the administration roles of his office and his politics. He is just using that office to intimidate public officers to campaign for him," Onyonka added.
Makadara MP George Aladwa of ODM also defended the President, saying he is justified in meeting any person in his office.
"State House is the official residence and Office of the President, and nothing stops the head of state from addressing or interacting with Kenyans from there as he explains government policies," Aladwa added.
University of Nairobi Political Science Department chairman Oscar Otele argues that by virtue of Ruto’s office, there are privileges that come by it.
"He is justified to meet any group at a designated place and in this case, at State House. He also meets a specific group which he knows will relay the information to the target audience," Dr Otele says, citing the meeting with chiefs as a forum in which he knows his message will reach the ground.
The don added, "President Ruto seemed to have learnt from Moi during his earlier days in politics and is utilising resources at his disposal to launch his reelection campaigns as there is no law stopping him from taking advantage of the resources that come by virtue of incumbency."
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