'You don't know me well': Rattled Ruto hits back at opposition

President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi County, July 23, 2026. [PCS]

Facing mounting pressure from a surge in pushback against his reelection plans, President William Ruto yesterday criticised the opposition as an existential threat to the country and urged Kenyans to reject them.

On a day when the Linda Mwanainchi brigade stormed Western and delivered a strong message of intent to unseat him,

Ruto attended an event in Amagoro in Busia as he sought to diffuse the impactful weekend where Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna announced his entry into the race to unseat him.

Ruto claimed that he was confident he would easily defeat them in next year’s general elections and described them as a group without political experience.

"I have not started campaigning. Very early in the morning when I start campaigning, I will separate them. I have given them their time because they don't know me well. They don't know politics yet," Ruto declared.

However, despite his strong statements, the Head of State later posted on his official social media accounts, describing his opponents as a threat to the country and to the children. “Those who are not for progress and development should not stand in the way of our transformation,” he said.

Addressing a gathering at Amagoro Town in Busia County, the Head of State dismissed his critics as less experienced politicians who do not understand the dynamics of Kenyan politics.

His remarks came shortly after attending the consecration and enthronement of Rt. Rev. Dr Vitalis Ekuru as the new ACK Katakwa Diocese Bishop.

He launched scathing attacks on Sifuna, using humour to question his vision for the electorate.

"Another person is saying that people should continue living in slums, that there is no need to build hostels. Someone who says that people should live in slums is he really normal?” he posed.

The President insisted that despite intense political posturing from opposition camps, he has yet to start his campaign.

However, he promised a decisive shift in the political landscape once the official whistle blows.

He also accused the opposition of not having an agenda for the people of Kenya and only focusing on tribalism.

"Some are saying there is no need to construct roads or build affordable housing. I want to tell you to use common sense," said Ruto.

Framing his current tour as a service-delivery mission rather than an early campaign blitz, President Ruto urged residents of Busia and the broader Western region to align with his administration's economic blueprint.

He emphasised that his primary focus remains on key national initiatives, including affordable housing, infrastructure expansion, and agricultural support, rather than engaging in daily political campaigns.

He added that elections are a temporary event, but the country must remain united before, during, and after the polls.

"We will have peaceful elections next year because elections come and go. This nation must remain firm, united and stable. We are going to do everything possible to ensure peace prevails," Ruto said.

The president also assured Kenyans that they will resolve the problem of goonism that continued to rock the country.

"We have also agreed to deal with all these goons; no one will be allowed to cause chaos. Every leader should be allowed to express themselves with their plans and agenda, even those who don't have an agenda and plans, be given a chance to express themselves," he said.

The President called for political tolerance during the election season, saying everyone should be allowed to sell their agenda to Kenyans without threat or intimidation.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who had accompanied the president, urged Kenyans to maintain peace.