Kenya Kwanza allies defend Ruto's 2027 candidacy, slam opposition criticism

Deputy President Kithure Kindiki in Njoro Sub County on August 1, 2025, during an empowerment event. [Daniel Chege, Standard] Kenya Kwanza leaders yesterday drummed up support for President William Ruto's re-election in 2027 and defended the economic empowerment initiative being promoted by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki. The leaders among them, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Majority Leader Kimani Ichungwa, and several legislators allied to Kenya Kwanza, also commended ODM leader Raila Odinga for working with Ruto to unite and stabilise the country for faster development. They said the country's economy was growing steadily, and the shilling was recovering very fast after President Ruto opted to work with Odinga. He said those opposed to the affordable housing initiative to create jobs and the introduction of the Social Health Authority (SHA) are enemies of development. In an availed attack on the opposition, Wetangula and Ichungwa exuded confidence that the head of state will be re-elected in the 2027 polls, owing to his transformative agenda Speaking at a meeting to raise funds for women under the economic empowerment programme in Voi town in Taita Taveta County at the weekend, they accused the former deputy president, Rigathi Gachagua, and other opposition leaders of insulting the government instead of providing solutions to the challenges facing the country. They dismissed Gachagua's tour of the US, saying he was only promoting tribalism and damaging the image of the government abroad instead of helping Kenyans. Wetangula and Ichungwa said it was the democratic right guaranteed in the constitution to positively criticise the government, but warned the opposition that such rights should not be abused to insult the government and its leadership. "The former Deputy President, who is currently on a tour in the USA, is preaching tribalism and destroying the image of the country while abroad instead of luring investors and tourists to come to Kenya," claimed Ichungwa. Wetangula and Ichungwa presided over a fund drive in aid of women's groups under the economic empowerment programme, where they raised millions of shillings. Dr Ruto sent Sh3 million, Wetangula Sh600,000, and Ichungwa Sh500,000, respectively. The speaker said economic empowerment programmes will go on despite resistance from the opposition that does not have an agenda for Kenyans. The Speaker disclosed this year that the government will employ 24,000 teachers. Prices of fertilizers have been reduced from Sh7,000 to Sh2,500, and the Kenyan shilling has been stabilised. "Those going round the country 'Ruto must go" narrative have no policies and development agenda. They (Opposition) are only promoting politics of insults and disunity, hatred, tribalism and have been sponsoring protests against the government," alleged Wetangula. "We must all be united, and the unity of our country is imperative and paramount. Unity is the strength of the country and Kenyans should reject leaders who have selfish and vested interests," he told the meeting. Ichungwa told the meeting that economic empowerment among women was the only way to help transform the country. The majority leader said Dr Ruto should ignore the opposition and instead go ahead with his transformative agenda for the country. "We have not come here to call you cousins. We have come here to economically empower you as we had promised during the 2022 campaigns," he said.

Kenya Kwanza allies defend Ruto's 2027 candidacy, slam opposition criticism

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Kenya Kwanza allies defend Ruto's 2027 candidacy, slam opposition criticism

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