President William RutoPresident William Ruto has declared he is ready to face his rivals, saying his record will speak for itself against an opposition he accused of relying on insults and slogans.
He said he was confident of defeating his opponents, whom he described as leaderless and clueless. Ruto spoke in Bomet on the first day of his four-day tour of the South Rift region.
The President challenged opposition leaders to tell Kenyans what they stand for and outline their agenda for the country instead of engaging in what he termed "endless insults and political slogans".
“Relax, I am more than ready,” Ruto said, maintaining his administration had delivered on its development promises and would present its record to Kenyans ahead of next year's contest.
The head of state’s remarks came as political activity intensifies, with opposition leaders stepping up criticism of his administration while rival camps begin positioning themselves for the contest.
Ruto is using his tour of the South Rift, a region considered part of his political backyard, to inspect ongoing government projects and rally support for his administration. He expressed confidence that his rivals would be beaten ‘by morning’, arguing that Kenyans would not replace what he described as a sound development record with slogans and insults.
“We have an opposition that is agendaless, clueless and programmeless. These people are telling us that insults and name-calling is the alternative to the programmes we have,” the President told residents at Kapkwen market.
“Bomet relax, I will beat them in the morning.”
Ruto said the next election should be a contest of ideas, policies and development records.
He accused the opposition of lacking a clear direction, saying its leaders had failed to present an alternative agenda capable of convincing Kenyans to change the country’s leadership.
“Let them tell Kenyans what their agenda is,” Ruto said, adding that his administration would continue implementing development projects as it prepares to seek a fresh mandate.
The President also assured residents the choice of leaders would remain firmly in the hands of voters, dismissing claims that political leaders or powerful individuals could impose candidates on Kenyans.
“You will be the ones who will elect MCAs, MPs and even governors, and you should not go after the looks but one’s development records,” he said.
The President inspected the Itembe Airstrip, launched the Kapkwen-Olbutyo-Siongirio Road and presided over last-mile electricity connectivity.
He also laid the foundation stone for the Kapkwen modern market and handed over keys to beneficiaries of affordable housing units at Bomet Estate Phase 1.
Furthermore, the President addressed a sitting of the county assembly of Bomet, where he reiterated his commitment to ensuring uniform transformation across all parts of the country.
“If there was any doubt in anybody’s mind on the transformation going on in Bomet and Kenya, the facts and figures are there,” he said.
“I want to assure that in our lifetime, this nation will be a first-world country.”
Instant analysis
Ruto’s tour comes as the battle for the 2027 election gathers momentum, with the President seeking to frame the contest as a choice between his administration’s development record and what he describes as an opposition driven by rhetoric.
