Ruto support will depend on fulfilled pledges – MP Yakub

Residents of Northern Kenya will not support President William Ruto's re-election bid unless his administration fulfils its development promises, Fafi MP Salah Yakub has said..

It is the third time the UDA legislator has publicly stated that Ruto is not assured of the regions votes.

Speaking in Bura town, the first-term MP said locals will evaluate the government based on tangible achievements rather than political rhetoric.

Yakub said the region must “weigh on a scale” what has been delivered in terms of development instead of relying on empty promises.

He said Ruto must return to the people with a renewed commitment and concrete results if he wants their support for reelection.

 Among the key concerns raised were unfulfilled pledges related to infrastructure and basic services, including roads, water supply and electricity—issues that the government had earlier promised to address.

Following President Ruto’s recent statement that his leadership will be judged based on development record, the MP said residents are now ready to hold him accountable.

“Records will speak for themselves. We will come to the table and tell the President nothing but the truth. It will not be business as usual,” the MP said.

Yakub, who had previously supported extending presidential term limits in favour of Ruto, now insists that performance will determine future political support.

He dismissed any possibility of backing former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, citing his "poor track record with Kenyan Somalis".

Yakub also criticised the issuance of identification documents to residents saying it might become a political disadvantage for indigenous communities.

He argued that the removal of the vetting committee would complicate the situation by allowing individuals from across the border—particularly Somalis—to take advantage of the relaxed process to acquire IDs in large numbers as a temporary measure.

"In the long run, this could allow them to influence local politics and even contest clan-based political seats, ultimately disadvantaging the original local population," he said.

He said that the Fafi constituency, which hosts one of the largest refugee camps with a population of at least 300,000 migrants, could be vulnerable to illegal activities, including attempts to improperly acquire voter cards for political purposes.

He said refugees are spread across nearly every county, including Nairobi, and warned that if the situation is not properly managed, it could create complications for ordinary Kenyans.

Last month, Wajir North MP Ibrahim Saney also launched a scathing attack on the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing it of neglecting the Northeast and failing to address pressing needs.

He said the region has little to celebrate in the current administration.

Saney pointed to the continued underdevelopment of key sectors such as livestock, water, and roads, which he described as the economic lifeline of the region.

He lamented little has been done to cushion residents against the perennial drought that continues to devastate livelihoods.

“For how long will our people continue to depend on relief food?” he posed.

“Shall we always live in indignation, taking relief food, yellow maize or rice whose quality we do not even know? Shall we continue sourcing fodder from other parts of the country?” Saney said.