Ruto: I will not abandon my development plan to play populist politics

President William Ruto addressing a stop over rally at Kakamega town. Ruto earlier on had launched Insurance bonuses for sugarcane farmers at Mumias sugar factory on Januuary 20,2025.[Benjamin Sakwa/ Standard] President William Ruto has vowed not to abandon his development agenda like the affordable housing plan to engage in populistic politics despite mounting criticism and advice from his allies. Ruto said he was determined to put the country in the development trajectory despite advice from even his close allies to abandon unpopular projects opposed by majority of Kenyans "I'm not scared of those with traps and bhang smokers who could not beat me in 2022. This country has plans but lacked leaders to implement them. I will do that," he said On his second day of a tour in Kakamega, the President said both the manifestos of Kenya Kwanza and Azimio la Umoja prioritized the housing plan and those opposed to it were insincere. "I've been in this politics for long. Let those who joined the other day be excited about it........Do you think the trappers and bhang smokers can defeat me?" said Ruto. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi said leaders impeached should stop misleading Kenyans that they will offer alternative leadership as they are barred from vying for any seat. In an indirect jab at impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Mudavadi said it was time for those impeached to stop mourning and lying to Kenyans. "I want to tell those leaders that the mourning period is over and that Kenyans must move forward. Someone who was impeached because should dupe Kenyans cannot vie for any seat. Not even for the chairmanship of Mzee wa mataa," said Mudavadi. He said former Nairobi Governor Mike Sonko and former Kiambu Governor Ferdinand could not make it to the elective seats because they were impeached. Meanwhile, Ruto said populist politicians can not change the country. He was speaking at Mumias Sugar Factory during the issuance of a Sh150 million bonus to sugarcane farmers. "Do not have any worries because the politics of noise going on will come to an end. It is Kenyans who will decide at the ballot on who has performed and not, those making noise and causing a disturbance in social media have a difficult in competing with me," said Ruto. Ruto said his sole plan and intent is to transform Kenya, stating that transformation cannot be achieved without any clear plan adding that he does not want to be a populist president. "A leader who is being hailed through clapping of hands cannot transform this country. We have leaders telling me that I should be such a leader and I don't want to be so. "We have certain work that will be done without clapping of hands and those who want to be praised or to become popular let them continue," said Ruto. He said country's transformation had dragged behind because leaders were not ready to sacrifice to put the country first of their ambitions. Ruto opined that Kenya does not lack good plans, but it lacks leaders who can boldly push for agendas to be implemented. "The problem of this country is not that we lack a plan, or we don't know what to do, the problem of Kenya is that there aren't enough leaders with the capacity and courage to implement the plans that can change the country," he said. Ruto took issue with Mumias East Member of Parliament MP Peter Salasya who asked the head of state to drop the housing project, which he claims is overburdening civil servants. "In the last election in the Kenya Kwanza and Azimio manifesto, we had the housing program but some are opposing the housing program and yet they were elected under the Azimio, which had a similar program and our problem as leaders is that when we are campaigning, we promise our people certain things and after they are elected, claiming that the program is not popular when they are supposed to implement what they promised the people," said Ruto. He added, "We promised our people Universal Health Coverage, we don't want few people to access healthcare but all the people and those who are opposing the Social Health Authority and inciting people it is because they are paying more and because UHC failed in the last regime I promised to push it and ensure it succeeds and that is why we are encouraging our people to get registered." Ruto vowed to revive sugarcane farming and boost agricultural production the country. President is expected to spend the whole week in the Western region during his development tour to consolidate votes in the traditional stronghold of Opposition leader Raila Odinga. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki commended the president for uniting Kenyans, urging him to continue bringing on board more Kenyans into his broad-based government. COTU Secretary General Francis Atwoli pledged unwavering support for President Ruto from the Western region in the upcoming 2027 elections. "The people of the Western will walk with you, and there is no agreement or conditions. You work for us all for free, and we will stand with you," said Atwoli. His sentiments were echoed by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretary for Cooperatives Wycliffe Oparanya, and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa who vowed to support the head of state and rally the region behind him ahead of the 2027 General elections.

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