President William Ruto on Sunday escalated his personal and political onslaught against his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua and the opposition, declaring his readiness to face them head-on.
Speaking during a development tour in Kasipul constituency, Homa Bay county, Ruto attacked Gachagua, branding him a tribalist, saboteur and a non-performer with no vision for the country.
“That man has no track record. He has no plan whatsoever for this nation. He was a one-term MP who never contributed to any debate, never sponsored a bill or motion,” Ruto said.
The President accused Gachagua of failing in key assignments he had entrusted to him, including reforms in the coffee sector and the fight against illicit alcohol.
According to Ruto, the former deputy president instead engaged in extortion and aligned himself with cartels.
“I gave him an opportunity to help fix the coffee sector, but he teamed up with cartels, asking farmers for illegal levies. I asked him to deal with illicit brews, but he became an extortionist targeting business people,” Ruto claimed.
The President dismissed Gachagua’s leadership credentials, insisting he lacks the capacity to lead.
“I want to tell that character; you will lead no one, nowhere and nobody,” he said.
The latest exchange marks a deepening fallout between the two leaders, who have in recent days traded sharp personal and political accusations ahead of the 2027 polls.
Gachagua has previously accused the President of presiding over corruption, mismanagement and the alleged sale of public assets, claims Ruto dismissed as baseless and politically motivated.
The President also turned his fire on the united opposition, accusing its leaders of promoting tribal politics and lacking a coherent national agenda.
“I want to tell the so-called opposition, you have no track record for Kenya, no vision, no programme and no plan. How do you expect to compete with us?” he posed.
Ruto maintained that leadership requires a clear development blueprint rather than insults and divisive rhetoric.
“You cannot lead this country based on hatred and insults. You need a plan, an agenda and a vision,” he said.
In a direct response to mounting criticism, the President declared his readiness for a political contest.
“I’m ready for you. If your problem is William Ruto, then I am ready to deal with you,” he said.
The President, who has been touring the Nyanza region since Thursday, said his extended stay was deliberate and aimed at reinforcing his administration’s commitment to inclusive development and national unity.
Ruto defended the broad-based government arrangement, which he said has eliminated exclusion and fostered unity across political and ethnic divides.
“The government that unites all Kenyans is helping us eradicate exclusion and tribalism and bring our nation together. Despite how we voted in 2022, today we are one,” he said.
The President outlined key development projects targeting the region, including the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR), which he described as a transformative infrastructure project.
He said the railway would link Kenya to neighbouring countries including Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Burundi and South Sudan, positioning Kisumu and the wider Nyanza region as a strategic logistics and investment hub.
“We agreed that the SGR is the single most important infrastructure project to connect our country to the region and open up economic opportunities,” he said.
Ruto also highlighted investments in the blue economy, announcing that the government has secured Sh450 million to construct fish landing sites in Homa Bay to boost local livelihoods.
“We have not created enough jobs in the blue economy. That is why we are investing in fish landing sites to support our fishermen and grow this sector,” he said.
He assured residents that Homa Bay county will no longer be marginalised, pledging its inclusion in the national development agenda.
“In our plans, Homa Bay is at the centre of national development. This region will not be excluded again,” he said.
Local leaders present at the event backed the President’s development agenda and the broad-based government.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga said the region’s support for the President is anchored on tangible development gains.
“The people of this region have seen development they have never seen since independence. That is why we are firmly behind you,” she said.
National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed noted that the President’s sustained visits to the region marked a shift from past administrations.
“Presidents have not been coming to places like this. This is a new approach that deserves support,” he said, adding that ODM would continue backing the broad-based arrangement.
Homa Bay Town MP Peter Kaluma urged residents to rally behind the President, citing years of perceived marginalisation.
“We have been sidelined for a long time. The President has come to us. Let us stand with him,” he said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The President’s tour comes at a time of heightened political temperatures, with the opposition stepping up criticism over governance and the cost of living. Despite the mounting pressure, Ruto remained defiant, insisting his administration will stay focused on development and unity, even as he braces for an intensifying political battle in the run-up to the next General Election.
Comments 0
Sign in to join the conversation
Sign In Create AccountNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!