President William Ruto has asked Kenyans to reject his political competitors, describing them as “puppets” who are on the payroll of unnamed political masters.
In a scathing attack, Ruto said his opponents lacked a vision or agenda for the country and were only interested in fulfilling the aspirations of those sponsoring them.
“These people are projects or puppets [of other people]. These are people who are sent. These are people who are paid,” the President said.
Ruto spoke during a church service at AIC Makutano in Taita Taveta county on Sunday, as he stepped up his attacks on political opponents ahead of the 2027 general election.
In recent days, the President has accused his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta of sponsoring political figures seeking to challenge his administration.
Ruto questioned the record of the Uhuru administration on affordable housing, universal health coverage and education. He challenged voters to compare its performance with that of his government.
“Yule sponsor wao si alishindwa na maneno ya affordable housing, si alishindwa na mambo ya universal health coverage, si alishindwa na maneno ya kusomesha watoto wetu?” Ruto said during a recent rally in Eldoret.
He also accused his opponents of deploying political allies to undermine his administration.
“Ati sasa ameenda kupanga vibaraka wake ati anatuma hapa watu wakuje washindane na mimi. Hawa watu nitawaosha asubuhi na mapema (So now he's sending his puppets to come and compete with me. I will defeat these people early in the morning,” he said.
On Sunday, Ruto questioned why his opponents were opposing his policies, programmes and projects without offering alternative plans.
He said political rivals were spending their time calling for his removal instead of telling Kenyans what they would do differently if elected.
“Let everybody be judged by the work they have done for the people. Let everybody come here and say what they have done,” Ruto said.
“Before you say what William Ruto has done, say yours first. Aren’t all of us given work? All those saying a lot of things, I want to ask you, this one of mine, I have done.”
“Where is yours? Tell us yours. What have you done? What is your agenda? What is your plan? What is your manifesto?”
The President dismissed his opponents' campaign rhetoric as empty political noise, particularly their calls for his removal.
“Many of them, if you listen to them when they come here in Voi, are full of noise. Ooh Kasongo... Oh Wantam… Oh Kasongo must go... so, what is Must Go? Is it a road or what?” he posed.
Ruto said his opponents had been instructed to oppose everything his administration was doing, including affordable housing and the Social Health Authority (SHA).
He challenged the opponents to explain what they would do differently instead of simply rejecting government programmes.
“And the person who has sent them has not explained to them: If they oppose whatever Ruto is doing, what is their option? You have no alternative. Your work is to oppose, and then you are looking for leadership,” he said.
Ruto said Kenya needed leaders with clear plans for development rather than politicians whose main agenda is to oppose the government.
“Are you looking for leadership to oppose things? Who will push forward the development of Kenya?” he posed.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
Ruto’s 2027 strategy is increasingly built around framing the election as a choice between his development record and an opposition lacking an alternative agenda. By branding rivals as “puppets” and “projects”, he seeks to undermine their independence and credibility. His repeated attacks on Uhuru Kenyatta also suggest an effort to portray emerging opponents as proxies of his predecessor. At the same time, Ruto is selling government projects on housing, health and infrastructure while challenging opponents to present their own record and manifesto.
