Ruto intensifies criticism against opposition

President William Ruto speaking after pre-inspecting the Dhogoye Bridge in Bondo Constituency, Siaya. [Michael Mute, Standard]

President William Ruto has intensified his attack on the opposition, dismissing them as “planless” and driven by personal grievances as he defended his administration's track record.

Ruto, who began his Siaya tour with an inspection of the Kalandini-Ka Elija Road in Rarieda, said his administration was taking development to every part of the country without discrimination, insisting that the political agreement he had reached with the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was founded on national unity and an end to tribal politics.

“Siaya people, I am bringing development here like any other part of Kenya. This time around, we decided with Baba that we will not have tribal politics. This is what we agreed with him,” said Ruto.

The President said the Government had set aside Sh30 billion for 400 kilometres of road projects in Siaya County, arguing that the investments were part of his administration’s effort to open up the region and improve connectivity.

He said he and Raila had agreed in 2022 to pursue national politics without discrimination and unite Kenyans regardless of their ethnic communities.

Ruto urged residents to scrutinise politicians and their agendas before voting, saying Kenyans should focus on what leaders have delivered and what they intend to do for the country rather than being swayed by political rhetoric.

“Listen to what every politician says, what he has done before you vote for him or her. Understand what you will benefit and what his agenda is. There are some leaders who want to mislead us. Let us not gamble with our nation,” he said.

He accused some of his opponents of lacking an agenda and resorting to abusive language and personal attacks, saying the broad-based government was the only political arrangement with a transformative track record capable of taking Kenya to the next level.

“Some have no agenda. They are just abusive. They are so down, planless. I have confidence that it is only the broad-based government that can move Kenya, which has a track record that is transformative, to another level. Others are on personal grievances,” Ruto said.

During an inspection of the Sihay-Bar Ober-Sega road, Ruto again defended the so called-broad-based government, describing it as the political formation with a clear vision and record.

“The broad-based arrangement is the only government that has a positive record and a clear vision. So leave those people who don’t have an agenda. Kenya wants a political formation with a clean record. So now, this broad-based is the deal,” he said.

Ruto warned Kenyans against what he described as political formations built around personal ambitions and insults, citing slogans such as “Kasongo” and “one term” among the attacks directed at his administration.

“Don’t allow those people to gamble. Those with narrow minds are now coming with abusive words, ati Kasongo, one term, those who pose cold threats to us. Kenya is more important than them. Leave those gangs of people who are clueless, with only personal ambitions and briefcase parties,” he said.

The President’s remarks came as his administration continued to pitch development projects in Siaya and the wider Nyanza region as part of the broad-based government arrangement.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi defended the political partnership, saying the Luo community had demonstrated its political loyalty and would not be swayed by what he termed competing political narratives.

“Some leaders in this region are not with us, but the fact is that Luo people have voted 100 per cent. And when they tell you about it, they mean it. They don’t lie,” said Mbadi.

Mbadi later told residents that the community would remain united behind the Government, saying it would not support leaders seeking to divide the country.

“This community cannot disappoint you and cannot vote for those thugs and those who are separating this country. No way can we be together in this. All the way in Siaya, we are together and will walk together to 2027, and in 2032 we know where we will focus,” he said.

Suna East MP Junet Mohamed aimed at Siaya Governor James Orengo and former allies of the broad-based government, accusing them of being opposed to the political arrangement because ODM leaders had joined the Government.

“You have brought development here and there are other people who don’t want to talk to you because you are talking with ODM people and putting them in Government. That is the anger they have. Some are lost on the way,” said Junet.

He claimed that a group associated with former President Uhuru Kenyatta, which he referred to as the "Linda Sponsor", was involved in political activities, and accused former ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna and Governor Orengo of being engaged in an internal contest over the party’s leadership.

Junet said both have lost focus instead of staying in ODM, which he described as the bigger political platform.

“As ODM, we cannot be in any formation where Rigathi Gachagua is inside. We cannot do that,” he said.

The remarks came amid growing political differences within the region, with Orengo and other leaders taking positions that differ from those supporting Ruto’s broad-based government.

ODM National Chairperson Gladys Wanga said the party would remain in the broad-based government, arguing that the arrangement was providing opportunities and development for the region.

“We are in a broad-based government, and we have no intention to leave. I will not allow Orengo and his team to take us to another party that will not enable us to get opportunities,” said Wanga.

Former Rarieda MP Nicholas Gumbo also criticised Governor Orengo, accusing him of failing to focus on the development of Siaya County.

“We elected an activist instead of developing his own county,” said Gumbo.

Deputy Governor William Oduol, meanwhile, said he was currently acting as governor, as political divisions within the county continued to emerge during Ruto’s visit.

Ruto maintained that his administration would continue with development projects in Siaya and the wider Nyanza region, saying the focus should remain on delivering infrastructure and economic opportunities rather than returning to tribal politics.

He said Kenyans should judge political leaders by their records, vision and ability to deliver development, setting the stage for what he described as a contest of ideas and track records ahead of the 2027 General Election.