Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has declared that the late ODM leader Raila Odinga would have been his only serious political opponent in the 2027 general election. According to Ruto, those positioning themselves to challenge him in 2027 lack vision, policies, and a development agenda for the country.
Addressing residents in Malava, Kakamega County, Thursday during the start of his development tour, Ruto said the current political figures seeking to unseat him are driven by tribal politics and division rather than ideas that can transform the country.
“Mtu mwenye ningeshindana naye ni Raila, lakini sasa hawa wengine nitawamalizia asubuuuhi na mapema,” Ruto said.
(The only person I would have taken on is Raila, but as for these others, I’ll deal with them first thing in the morning.)
“Na sio bure…(and in it there is not very any reason); it is because they have no plan, no agenda, no programme. They are people who thrive on tribalism, spreading hatred, anger, and division.”
The President accused his critics of lacking solutions for ordinary Kenyans, challenging them to present credible development policies instead of engaging in what he termed “empty politics.”
He praised former Kakamega Governor Wycliffe Oparanya, once a key figure in Azimio, and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa for choosing what he called a route of cooperation and national unity.
Ruto said leaders like Oparanya had shown maturity by embracing a broad-based government approach to unite the country. “Akina Oparanya walikuwa Azimio, lakini wao ni viongozi wenye maono. Tumekubaliana hakuna haja ya kulumbana,” he said.
(The likes of Oparanya were in Azimio, but they are leaders with vision. We’ve agreed there’s no point in fighting.
“Tushirikiane, tufanye kazi pamoja. Ndiyo, tumetengeneza serikali ya broad-based tuondoe chuki, migawanyiko na ubaguzi.”
(Let us work together; let us collaborate. That is why we have formed a broad-based government, to eliminate hatred, divisions and discrimination.
The President told off what he described as “angry politicians” who have no policy direction, insisting that his administration is focused on service delivery.
“Hawa watu wa ukabila na kisirani hawana mpango, hawana sera, hawana taratibu, hata akili hawana,” he remarked, drawing cheers from the crowd.
(These people who thrive on tribalism and pettiness have no plan, no policies, no systems, they don’t even have sense.)
Ruto urged Kenyans to ignore constant political bickering, saying the priority remains improving public services and expanding economic opportunities.
He listed ongoing government projects, including road infrastructure, electrification, healthcare investment, education support, and youth employment programmes as key pillars of his agenda.
“Wacha sasa tupange mambo ya barabara, matibabu, stima, elimu na ajira,” Ruto said.
(Let us now focus on roads, healthcare, electricity, education and jobs.)
“Mambo bado. Tutapanga Kenya vizuri halafu tutakutana na nyinyi 2027.”
(There is still work to do. We will organise Kenya properly and then we will meet you in 2027.)
Ruto embarked Thursday on another intensive development tour of Western region, marking his second major visit to the region this year. He is returning to the region for a four-day programme spread across Kakamega, Bungoma, and Vihiga counties.
During the tour, he is expected to launch key flagship projects in roads, health, housing, education, and electricity access and also meet local leaders in what State House says is part of a commitment to “unlock economic opportunity” in Western.
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