President William Ruto, during a meeting with village elders at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday /HANDOUTPresident William Ruto has intensified efforts to widen his grassroots support ahead of the election.
In the latest move, he hosted more than 10,000 village elders at State House, Nairobi, on Tuesday, where he unveiled a package of incentives in a bid to woo them.
The President unveiled a Sh3,000 monthly stipend, smartphones, health insurance and training for the village elders, crucial for shaping narrative and opinion in the villages.
"Are you ready? We start from here (Sh3,000) and when we cross the next election, we will push it even higher," he told the cheering crowd as he linked better benefits to his political future.
“For that, what do you say?” he asked as the crowd responded, “Tutam”.
The meeting followed a similar engagement with chiefs and assistant chiefs, whom the President urged to actively communicate and defend government policies at the grassroots.
Ruto has also been meeting religious leaders, youth and women groups and other key delegations and wooed them to support his policies at the grassroots.
The meetings underscore Ruto's strategy of strengthening his political network through local opinion leaders who wield influence in villages, churches and even markets across the country.
He said his administration has formally brought more than 106,000 village elders into the national government administration system.
"This is not a reward for patriotism. It is recognition of the service you have rendered to your communities," Ruto said.
The government will also provide smartphones, leadership training and health insurance under the Social Health Authority.
The President urged the elders to champion his proposed National Development Charter – Vision 2060, saying the debate should reach every village and household.
"This conversation cannot be for the government alone. It must reach every county, every ward, every village and every household," he said.
The latest outreach came as Ruto intensifies efforts to consolidate support at the grassroots amid growing political realignments and an aggressive opposition campaign.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was blunt, openly asking the elders to deliver Ruto a bigger victory in 2027.
"I ask elders to help President Ruto win the next election by a landslide because his development record speaks for itself," he said.
Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen challenged the elders to reject tribal politics and political incitement as campaigns gather momentum.
"Let us reject all those who are preaching tribalism, dividing the people and spreading hatred," he said.
He also announced increased operational funding for chiefs and assistant chiefs, saying allocations for chiefs had risen from Sh30,000 to Sh50,000, while assistant chiefs would now receive Sh30,000, up from Sh15,000.
ODM leader Oburu Oginga threw his weight behind the programme, describing it as the first serious effort by any administration to recognise village elders.
"This is the only administration that has appreciated the work of village elders. Previous governments never implemented such a programme," he said.
Oburu defended the initiative against critics who argue it will increase public spending.
"Some people say the President is burdening the country with debt. But this money is benefiting ordinary Kenyans, not the President," he said.
Oburu also reaffirmed that ODM would back Ruto's re-election bid instead of fielding its own presidential candidate.
"I want to make it clear that this is the only administration that has come out forcefully to appreciate the work of our village elders.”
“I have served in several administrations but President Ruto’s regime has demonstrated its seriousness in helping our elders. We must commend this initiative, " he said.
He also said the party will not field a presidential candidate in 2027, but will support the re-election of Ruto.
The President also sought to calm fears over the next polls, promising a peaceful contest.
"The next general election will be free and fair. We will not allow anyone to threaten the lives of other Kenyans. Every Kenyan has the right to elect the leader they want," Ruto said.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
The meeting highlights President William Ruto's strategy of consolidating grassroots support ahead of the 2027 General Election by leveraging influential local leaders. By offering stipends, health insurance, smartphones and training, the government is institutionalising village elders while strengthening its political outreach. The move follows similar engagements with chiefs and assistant chiefs, signalling an effort to build a nationwide mobilisation network. While supporters view it as recognition of unpaid community service, critics are likely to question whether state resources are being deployed to advance the President's re-election campaign.
