President William Ruto addressing thousands of residents of Habaswein, Wajir south constituency./STEPHEN ASTARIKO

Calls for President William Ruto’s re-election took centre stage on Sunday as political leaders in Wajir South declared their support for his 2027 bid, turning a development tour into a show of political solidarity behind the Head of State.

The leaders, led by Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Wajir Governor Ahmed Abdullahi and local elected representatives, praised the President’s development record in the North Eastern region and urged residents to back him for a second term.

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Health CS Aden Duale said the Somali community had, for the first time, felt fully included in government under President Ruto’s administration.

“It is only under President Ruto's government that we, as the Somali community, feel part and parcel of the government. You have restored our dignity, and for that alone we thank you and will forever be grateful,” Duale said.

He added that many professionals from the region now hold senior positions in government institutions.

“The only crime the president has committed, according to his detractors, is insisting that all Kenyans must be treated equally irrespective of tribe, religion or colour,” he said.

Governor Abdullahi defended the leaders’ open endorsement of the president, saying the region had witnessed significant development under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“We have every reason to drum up support for President Ruto’s re-election, and we are not ashamed of it,” he said.

The governor pointed to ongoing investments in water, electricity and infrastructure projects, as well as the construction of the Wajir International Stadium.

“The Singapore the president keeps talking about is what we can all see today — access to water, electricity connectivity, improved infrastructure, the construction of the Wajir Stadium and many other development projects", he said.

Abdullahi said while political competition may arise for other elective seats in 2027, the region had already settled on its preferred presidential candidate.

“We might have contests on the other seats, but we don't have any contest for the presidency,” he said.

Ruto was in Habaswein to commission the Habaswein Town Power Mini-Grid and Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project, an initiative aimed at expanding access to electricity and boosting economic growth in the area.

The president also inspected ongoing road construction projects within Habaswein town, which leaders said are improving connectivity and transforming the region.

Addressing residents, Ruto pledged to end what he described as decades of marginalisation in the Northeastern region.

“I am the only president who will finish the marginalisation that has bedevilled this northeastern region,” he said.

The President announced that Sh100 million has been allocated for the construction of an airstrip in Habaswein to improve transport and stimulate economic activity.

He also highlighted investments in sports infrastructure, noting that the government has already spent Sh1 billion on the construction of the Wajir International Stadium.

“Another stadium will also be constructed in Mandera as part of our commitment to nurturing talent and promoting sports across the region,” he said.

Ruto also took aim at his political rivals, dismissing opposition criticism and accusing his competitors of lacking a clear development agenda.

“Our competitors have no agenda or plan to move this country forward. All they know is to engage in empty rhetoric of one term and 'Kasongo', he said.

The President’s tour was set to continue with an inspection of the ongoing construction of roads in Griftu town, Wajir West Constituency, before culminating in Madaraka Day celebrations at the newly constructed Wajir International Stadium.

Health CS Aden Duale addressing the residents. /STEPHEN ASTARIKO