President William Ruto during the launch of the construction of the 59km Enengetia-Olposimoru road in Narok County on Tuesday/ HANDOUTPresident William Ruto on Tuesday declared that his re-election campaign has not yet begun, warning opposition politicians that they will “disappear in the grass” once it does.
Speaking during a development tour of Narok, Ruto struck a combative tone, dismissing the opposition as people without an agenda, plan, or vision.
“I’m yet to begin my campaigns. I pity my competitors,” the President said as he addressed huge crowds in the county.
Ruto said his current tours across the country were focused on development and not politics, but warned that his rivals would struggle once he officially launches his campaign.
“You people, I want to tell you, you saw us at night, you have not seen us during the day. They are telling us that they have started campaigns. For us, we have not started the campaigns,” he said.
“When we start campaigns, you will disappear in the grass,” Ruto added.
The President also dismissed the opposition leaders as politicians without an agenda, plan, vision or track record to warrant their election in next year’s general election.
Ruto challenged voters to judge leaders by their development record rather than ethnic politics and political rhetoric.
“When you are electing leaders, are you electing faces or a person who works? Are you electing work or tribalism? Are you electing work or hatred?” he asked.
“I told you we will end that old politics of hatred, insults and tribalism. Every part of Kenya will get development because that is the order from the constitution.”
Ruto mocked the opposition’s campaign rhetoric, saying their greatest achievement so far had been giving him the nickname “Kasongo.”
“These are people of blogs, insults, and tribalism. They will come here and say wantam, Kasongo, must go. Aren’t these people stupid? The biggest work they have done is to give me a name, Kasongo. They do not have any plans, agenda, or manifesto,” he said.
The head of state also assailed the opposition leaders for threatening to reverse his administration’s policies and programmes without providing alternatives.
“You are telling us to leave SHA and go back to NHIF. I want to ask you: you are telling us to go back to NHIF, which catered for few people, eight million people, and leave SHA of 32 million Kenyans?”
“You are telling us to go back to NHIF where, if you pay premiums now, you wait for three months to get benefits. This one of SHA, if you pay, you get services immediately. You are telling us you want to abolish SHA but you don’t have an alternative.”
Ruto said his development record and unity between UDA and ODM would grant his unassailable victory in 2027.
“Here in Narok, we were fighting with Raila Odinga. He used to get half and I get half. But in 2027, you have information that we have united ODM and UDA and it is now broad-based. Will the votes in Narok now be 100 per cent?” he posed.
On development, the President highlighted a series of infrastructure projects that his administration says will open up the county and boost economic activity.
Ruto launched construction of the 59-kilometre Enengetia-Olposimoru road. The road will connect Eneng'etia, Olokurto, Enkuseru, Olposimoru and Kiptenden.
He also cited ongoing road projects across the county, including the Ngoswani-Naikarra-Morijo road, where 30 kilometres have already been completed.
Construction of the Ololung'a-Ewaso Ng'iro road is also underway, while the Ololung'a-Sogoo-Saptet-Mulot road is nearly 60 per cent complete.
In Narok East, construction of the 40-kilometre Suswa-Inkorionito-Naiekia-Enkare road is ongoing.
Ruto said Narok Airport would be ready within the next few months. His administration is also investing Sh2.8 billion in last-mile electricity connectivity.
INSTANT ANALYSIS
President Ruto’s visit to Narok came as political temperatures gradually rise ahead of the 2027 general election. By insisting his campaign has not started and that current activities remain focused on development, the President sought to seize the initiative while portraying his opponents as empty of substance and trapped in the politics of the past. Whether the warning that rivals will “disappear in the grass” proves prophetic will be tested in the months ahead.
