President William Ruto with other leaders in Machakos/PCSPresident William Ruto has urged political leaders to reject ethnic mobilisation, hate speech and divisive politics, saying Kenyans should judge leaders by their record, vision and ability to deliver services.
Ruto said the country had moved beyond politics centred on insults and ethnic divisions, arguing that the coming political contest should be defined by what leaders have achieved and the plans they offer voters.
Speaking at the ABC Annual National Women Congress in Machakos, the President called on leaders who have been entrusted with public office to promote unity and avoid rhetoric that divides Kenyans.
“Mimi nataka kuwaomba viongozi wote ambao wamepata nafasi ya kuongoza, tuwache mambo ya kugawanya Wakenya kwa maneno ya chuki, ukabila, matusi,” Ruto said.
He said voters would ultimately have the opportunity to determine which leaders deserved their support by examining their performance and conduct.
“Wakati ikifika hawa wananchi wataamua ni nani amefanya kazi, ni nani wa matusi, wa chuki,” he said.
The President said political leaders should focus on presenting their agenda and demonstrating what they could deliver instead of relying on insults and ethnic rhetoric to mobilise support.
He argued that the political environment was changing and that Kenyans were increasingly interested in leaders who could provide solutions to challenges affecting their lives.
“As leadership, we have raised the bar. It is no longer about insults but track record, agenda and plan,” he said.
Ruto said the country needed leaders capable of bringing Kenyans together and creating an environment in which citizens could pursue economic opportunities regardless of their ethnic backgrounds.
He warned that divisive politics could undermine national cohesion and distract leaders from addressing issues affecting ordinary citizens.
The President's remarks come as political parties and leaders begin positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election, with ethnic and regional alliances expected to play a significant role in the campaigns.
He said leaders seeking elective positions should instead engage Kenyans on their policies, development records and vision for the country.
Ruto maintained that the electorate had the responsibility of evaluating political leaders based on their performance rather than allowing themselves to be influenced by hate speech or ethnic mobilisation.
The President also called for greater responsibility among political leaders, saying those entrusted with leadership positions should set an example by promoting peaceful coexistence.
He said Kenya's diversity should be viewed as a strength rather than a source of political division.
The ABC Annual National Women Congress brought together women leaders and other participants in Machakos, providing a platform to discuss leadership and the country's political and development agenda.
Ruto said women had an important role to play in shaping Kenya's future and urged them to participate actively in leadership and national development.
He reiterated that the country's political conversation should increasingly focus on tangible issues affecting citizens, including economic opportunities, access to services and development.
The President's call for issue-based politics adds to his recent appeals for leaders to avoid divisive rhetoric as the country heads towards the next General Election.
He said Kenyans would ultimately have the final say at the ballot, based on what leaders had done, what they stood for and the plans they presented for the future.
