Ruto: I will defeat opposition whether united or divided in 2027

President William Ruto has declared that he will defeat the opposition in the 2027 General Election regardless of whether his competitors unite behind a single candidate or contest separately.

The President dismissed opposition efforts to forge unity, arguing that political alliances without a clear agenda for Kenyans would not secure victory at the ballot.

“Even if they unite to the last man, I will defeat them because unity without an agenda for Kenyans will not win them votes,” he said.

Speaking on Thursday during a development tour of Elgeyo-Marakwet and Baringo counties, Ruto accused his critics of focusing on political alliances instead of presenting alternative plans to address the country’s challenges.

He described his opponents as merchants of anger and discrimination, arguing that Kenyans wanted leaders with clear development agendas rather than those relying on ethnic numbers to gain power.

“Kenyans want leaders who have an agenda, a plan and vision, not those who sell tribal arithmetic or are full of hate and anger,” he said.

Ruto maintained that the country had undergone a political transition ahead of the 2022 General Election, when he campaigned on the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), which promised to improve the livelihoods of vulnerable and marginalised groups.

He said his administration was delivering on its commitments and challenged critics to focus on development priorities rather than seeking power without a plan.

“Today, Kenyans are holding me to account for what I promised them. We don’t want people who look for power without a plan,” he said.

The President cited reduced fertiliser prices and improved earnings for coffee, tea, milk and sugarcane farmers as evidence of his administration’s progress since taking office in 2022.

He also defended the Road Maintenance Levy Fund (RMLF) against calls for its abolition, saying the money had helped clear pending bills owed to road contractors and finance ongoing infrastructure projects.

Ruto said the construction of 6,000 kilometres of roads across the country reflected his administration’s commitment to distributing development projects across regions.

He maintained that the government was pursuing equitable development through investments in roads, modern markets, affordable housing, healthcare, agriculture and education.

During the tour, the President launched several infrastructure and electricity projects in the two counties.

In Elgeyo-Marakwet, he inspected the construction of the Sh205 million Chepkorio Modern Market, which is expected to accommodate 200 traders, and launched the construction of 30 kilometres of roads in Keiyo South Constituency at Sh1.8 billion.

He also flagged off a Sh632 million electricity connectivity project expected to connect 3,169 households to power in the constituency.

In Baringo, Ruto launched the construction of roads worth Sh4.2 billion linking Eldama Ravine, Mogotio and Baringo Central constituencies. He also flagged off a Sh78.9 million electricity project targeting 343 households and opened the Eldama Ravine Huduma Centre.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen, who accompanied the President, warned politicians against using government security officers and public offices to facilitate violence.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah urged voters to reject leaders who rely on tribalism, while Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said Kenyans would elect leaders with clear plans for the country.

The President maintained that his administration would continue implementing its development agenda, adding that he was ready to be held accountable for the commitments made to Kenyans.