President William Ruto has dismissed claims that his administration has underdelivered on his key pledges, insisting that his record in education, healthcare, agriculture and infrastructure speaks for itself.
Ruto said his administration had made significant progress in transforming the country, challenging his critics to compare his promises against work done.
He dismissed criticism that his administration had made promises it could not fulfil, saying the government had remained focused on implementing its development agenda.
Speaking on day two of his South Rift development tour, the President said the difference between him and competitors is like day and night.
He said Kenyans will judge his government on its development record.
“They went around for three years saying we had over promised, today we are telling them that our delivery can be seen,” Ruto said.
“You spoke too early my friends, we have delivered on our promises.”
The President cited reforms and investments in education, including the expansion of access to basic education and support for learners, as some of the gains made under his administration.
He also pointed to changes in the health sector, including the government’s efforts to expand access to universal healthcare, while highlighting investments in agriculture aimed at increasing production and reducing the cost of food.
On infrastructure, Ruto said his administration had continued to expand and improve roads and other key facilities across the country, arguing that the projects were evidence of a government focused on delivery rather than rhetoric.
He was accompanied by Roads Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Kericho Governor Eric Mutai and Senate Majority leader Aaron Cheruiyot.
Ruto renewed his call for national unity, saying Kenya can not afford to be divided along political and ethnic lines as the country pursues economic transformation.
He said his administration has brought together leaders from different political formations in what he described as an effort to put national interests ahead of partisan politics.
“We will not tolerate the politics of tribalism, hatred and insults. I have taken it myself to unite all parts of the country to be one nation,” he said.
“Your plan to divide this country through insults is going nowhere.”
The President maintained his government had a clear agenda for transforming the economy, something he noted is lacking from his competitors.
“The difference between us and our competitors is like day and night. We have solid track record, they don’t have except insults, division and name calling,” the President said.
He challenged his competitors to present their own alternative development agenda instead of concentrating on criticism of his administration.
He said the government will remain focused on implementing its programmes and urged Kenyans to judge it by the projects and reforms being rolled out across the country.
Ruto’s remarks come as the political contest ahead of the 2027 general election intensifies, with opposition leaders increasingly stepping up campaigns against his administration.
Ruto also made a passionate appeal to the residents to acquire national IDs and register as voters, saying he needs one million votes from the county.He said development projects being implemented by his administration can only be sustained through the election of leaders capable of planning and delivering on their promises.
Speaking in Bureti, Ruto urged residents to help register those who have not acquired identification documents or are not on the voters’ roll. “I have one word to tell you, just one word that I want to request you. The presidential seat is won through votes,” Ruto said in local language. He said projects such as roads, hospitals, water infrastructure and the planned development of Kericho town into a city were linked to the leadership chosen by voters. “These development projects like roads, hospitals and water, and the city that we want to build here is through votes,” he said. He urged residents to go into their neighbourhoods and identify people who do not have national identity cards and help them obtain the documents. “I want to request you, go look for your neighbour who does not have an ID and take him to the chief’s office to get it. Look for that church member and take him to apply for the ID and have them register as voters until everyone has the voter’s card,” he said. The President then set his target for Kericho, telling residents he wanted one million votes from the county in 2027. “This Kericho, by 2027 I need one million votes from you,” he said.
