President William Ruto during a meeting with Teso leaders at Eldoret State Lodge/PCS
President William Ruto has responded to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s criticism of government road projects, telling him to concentrate on his political campaign and leave development planning to those in government.
Ruto questioned Kalonzo’s understanding of road projects and referred to his repeated calls for a one-term presidency, saying the opposition leader should focus on political slogans rather than development planning during the exchange.
“Kalonzo, stick to talking about Wantam. You don’t understand roads, so leave that alone,” Ruto said.
The President was speaking during an engagement with members of the Teso community from Busia County at State Lodge Eldoret.
Ruto’s remarks followed comments by Kalonzo at a rally in Emali, where the opposition leader acknowledged that road construction was underway but questioned aspects of the project, including the width of the tarmac.
Kalonzo said development projects should not be presented as favours to citizens, saying such projects were part of the government’s basic responsibility to taxpayers.
Ruto, however, disputed Kalonzo’s criticism, saying the opposition leader did not know key details about the road project, including where it started and the route it followed.
The President said residents attending the Emali rally had to provide Kalonzo with information about the project.
He also questioned Kalonzo’s development record, citing his long career in public service as a legislator, Cabinet minister and Vice-President.
“Planning development is beyond you, my friend. Just stick to your ‘one-term’ slogan, stay right there. That’s the only thing you might be capable of. You can’t handle the intellectual work. Just keep running your mouth about ‘one term, one term’, go right ahead,” Ruto said.
The President challenged Kalonzo to explain why some communities were still waiting for major infrastructure projects despite the opposition leader having served in government for decades.
“He claims it’s the local people’s right. True, it is their right. But why did that right have to wait until Ruto arrived to be realised? And yet, he has been loitering around there for fifty years,” Ruto said.
Ruto also rejected suggestions that government development projects should be viewed as his personal contribution to local communities.
He said the money used for roads and other public projects belonged to the government and, ultimately, taxpayers.
“I know I don’t do development with my money. But where were you for 50 years?” he posed.
“But I want to ask: did the government only come into existence the day Ruto became President? Didn’t we have a government all these years? And those previous administrations, were they using their own money?” he added.
The exchange comes as political leaders intensify campaigns and public engagements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Kalonzo is among opposition leaders seeking to consolidate support under the broader Wantam movement, while Ruto has stepped up his engagements with communities across the country as he seeks to defend his administration’s record and build support for his development agenda.
The President has increasingly used infrastructure projects, including roads, as evidence of his administration’s performance, while opposition leaders have argued that development should not be used as a political tool.
