'Umoja ni nguvu': Ruto credits broad-based government for major national projects

President William Ruto, ODM leader Oburu Oginga, Health CS Aden Duale and other leaders during Iftar Dinner at State House, Mombasa, March 13, 2026/PCS

President William Ruto has hailed Kenya’s broad-based government as a driving force behind major national projects and reforms, emphasising unity as central to the country’s progress.

He made the remarks on Friday during an Iftar dinner at State House, Mombasa, where he hosted Muslim leaders and government officials.

“Three years down the road, we have something to celebrate and to thank God for. Don’t underestimate what unity, what people coming together can do,” Ruto said.

The President highlighted the role of a united government in establishing the National Infrastructure Fund and raising resources through initiatives such as the Kenya Pipeline IPO.

“We would not be talking about the National Infrastructure Fund. If there were no broad-based government, we would not. Let me just say so that you know, we would not have had the capacity to even raise resources using the Kenya Pipeline IPO or the Safaricom process. It would not have been possible. It’s because of unity,” he stated.

Ruto cited the Swahili saying, “Umoja ni nguvu,” meaning “unity is strength,” to underline his point. He traced the origins of the Kenya Pipeline IPO to earlier governments, noting that while the process was drafted under Mwai Kibaki’s administration and attempted by the Jubilee government, it was the current broad-based government that successfully executed it.

“That shows you the power of unity,” he added.

The President also acknowledged the importance of courageous leadership combined with collective purpose.

“We have tried to do many things in the past, but we were not able because we didn’t have the courage to do them, and we didn’t have the unity to drive it. Today, we thank God that we have a leadership that has the courage to make the decisions that will change the destiny of our nation. But we also have the unity of purpose in the broad-based government to make sure that we execute it. And Kenya, friends, is going to change,” he said.

Ruto went on to address social injustices and the need for equality in access to government services.

He emphasised that issuing identity cards and passports is not a privilege, but a right for all citizens.

“All we are doing is correcting the injustices of the past, righting the wrongs that have been meted out against fellow citizens because of prejudices. Whatever we are doing, the positions you have today in government, the rights you have today, they are not favors. They are rights because you are entitled to them as all the other citizens of Kenya are entitled to them,” he said.

He concluded by reinforcing the value of unity for national progress. “Together, we are stronger. Together, we can go places. Together, we can go places,” Ruto said, calling for continued collective effort to drive Kenya’s development.