Stop insults, bring your development record, Ruto tells rivals as he charms Mt Kenya

President William Ruto has challenged opposition leaders to end what he called divisive politics and instead showcase their concrete development achievements ahead of the 2027 polls.

During a Sunday church service at AIC Githumu in Kandara, Murang’a county, the President emphasised that leaders should be judged on their tangible accomplishments rather than rhetoric based on insults, tribalism and hatred.

“Isn’t a leader measured by the work they do? Is there someone who is measured by the number of insults? Is someone measured by tribalism or hatred?” Ruto asked.

“Everyone will be measured by the work they do,” he added.

Ruto said he is prepared to face his competitors at the ballot by presenting his administration’s development record, encouraging rivals to do the same, instead of engaging in personal attacks.

“That is why I have told those competing with us there is no need for fights, insults, hatred or tribalism. Just bring your scorecard. I will bring mine and voters will decide,” he said.

The President criticised the opposition for perpetuating what he called the “politics of abuses and division”, arguing such tactics do little to advance Kenya’s development.

He said the focus should be on measurable progress in infrastructure, education, healthcare and agriculture.

“If you have built a church, a road, connected electricity, improved agriculture, educated our children or expanded healthcare, that is how you will be measured,” Ruto said.

“If you have built a road, come with that road. I will also come with what I have done. Let them bring the schools they have built; I will come with mine. That is how we are going to move the country forward.”

This was the second time in two weeks the President has visited Murang’a. Last week he traversed the county in a two-day development tour.

He leveraged the church occasion on Sunday to rally the region to back his re-election bid.

Ruto is fighting to retain his support base in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region amidst a fierce fight with his former estranged deputy, Rigathi Gachagua, who has declared himself the region's political kingpin.

The President exuded confidence that he would be reelected, citing the numerous projects his administration has undertaken, especially in Murang’a, as part of his broader development agenda.

“I want to assure you, the people of Murang’a and the entire country, that we are going to transform Kenya through development programmes,” he said.

“What we cannot do is make noise through politics, insults and blackmail. That cannot help us. We must partner and work together for Kenya to make progress.”

Ruto said the government has invested billions of shillings in development projects nationwide in housing, markets and infrastructure.

“As I speak to you now, we have put Sh27 billion into Murang’a alone. Is there any government that has built 20 markets here in Murang’a?” he asked.

He said the affordable housing scheme is a key part of his economic plan, with thousands of units under construction in the county.

“Here in Murang’a, we are building 5,000 affordable housing units and hostels to house 4,500 students. That is how we are transforming Kenya,” Ruto said.

Nationwide, the housing programme has created significant employment opportunities for young people.

“Today in Kenya, housing alone is employing 640,000 youths. Across the country, we have projects worth about Sh600 billion,” he said.

The President reaffirmed his commitment to maintain close ties with the Mt Kenya region, where he has recently increased political and development visits.

Ruto is working to strengthen his support base in the region at a time of rivalry with his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

Despite the competition, the President took a conciliatory tone, promising continued engagement with residents.

“I am happy to be here in Murang’a, and I will come again and again. There are many things we have built together, and there is more we will continue to do,” he said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

President William Ruto has urged opposition leaders to abandon insults, tribal rhetoric and hatred politics, instead challenging them to present their development track record ahead of the 2027 elections. Speaking in Murang’a, he said voters will judge leaders based on tangible achievements such as roads, schools, healthcare and electricity, not political attacks. Ruto defended his administration’s projects, including affordable housing and markets, while citing heavy investment in Mt Kenya. He framed the election as a “scorecard contest” focused on delivery.