'No excuse': Cheruiyot tells Maasai to rally behind Ruto in 2027

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot at a Kiambaa fundraiser for Mama Mboga, boda boda riders and youth. [Edward Kiplimo, Standard]

Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot has urged the Maasai community to support President William Ruto's 2027 re-election bid, saying he has fulfilled his promises to the region.

Speaking during the closing ceremony of the church's 16th Annual Conference in Narok East, Cheruiyot said the government had delivered on long-standing pledges to the Maa people.

He cited the return of Amboseli National Park to the Kajiado County Government, the appointment of Maasai leaders to senior government positions, and the titling and transfer of the contentious Maasai Mau Forest to the Narok County Government - a historical flashpoint during past election seasons.

"The President has walked the talk. These are not promises; they are actions. The Maasai have no excuse not to stand with President Ruto in 2027," he said.

Cheruiyot was accompanied by a delegation of Kenya Kwanza leaders, including MPs Gabriel Tongoyo (Narok West), Hillary Kosgei (Kipkelion West), Lemanken Aramat (Narok East), and former Narok Governor Samuel Tunai.

He also highlighted the recent establishment of Ilchamus Sub-County in Baringo, aimed at bringing government services closer to the historically marginalised Ilchamus community.

During the event, Cheruiyot delivered a Sh10 million cash pledge on behalf of President Ruto to the Narok East Pastors' Association, intended to fund the construction of a pastors' plaza in Ntulele trading centre - fulfilling a promise the President made during a previous tour of the region.

He lauded the Kenya Kwanza administration's development record, particularly in education, noting that 76,000 teachers have so far been employed, with a further 24,000 set to be hired by December, bringing the total to 100,000 new teaching positions under Ruto's government.

"That means one in four teachers in Kenya will have been employed under President Ruto, and he has only been in office for two years," he added.

Cheruiyot also pointed to the construction of 24,000 new classrooms and improvements in overall economic stability as further evidence of Ruto's leadership.

His remarks were echoed by former Governor Tunai, who emphasised the significance of Ruto's recognition of the Maasai people.

"There is no other President who has recognised the Maa Nation like William Ruto," Tunai said. "We must unite as a community to re-elect him and secure our place in national development."

MP Tongoyo also voiced his support, praising ongoing education reforms and expressing optimism about the trajectory of the country's learning institutions, particularly efforts to stabilise the university funding model.