Ruto dismisses ‘one-term’ chants, reaffirms focus on development

President William Ruto has dismissed mounting calls from the opposition urging him to serve only one term, vowing instead to remain focused on his development agenda.

Speaking at State House during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Nakuru, Ruto described those chanting “one-term” slogans as individuals hungry for popularity and attempting to intimidate him.

Ruto hosted the Nakuru leaders to deliberate on matters of insecurity in the region.

He brushed off the one-term chants by drawing parallels with the biblical story of Jesus.

“Jesus saved the world in three years and has billions of followers, while others are disturbing us with one-term chants,” said the President.

“You are not judged by how long you lead, but by what you achieve and the impact you make in a nation.”

Ruto further stated that he intends to complete all pending development projects within the time he has left.

“If I don’t finish within the five years, I will definitely work for the next ten years and deliver to the citizens of Kenya,” he said.

“I have a responsibility to finish all the development projects I have set for Kenyans, just the same way I implemented the Affordable Housing programme, SHA, social security, among others.”

On June 8, 2025, while attending a Sunday church service in Makadara, Nairobi, President Ruto reiterated his commitment to serving Kenyans and dismissed opposition criticism as “empty rhetoric.”

“I am committed, I am determined, I am focused, and no amount of intimidation and name-calling is going to change my course. I have enough time to do that,” he said.

“This country is going to change before our very eyes. That’s why you see many people resisting, but I don’t pay attention to their noise."

Ruto emphasised that he is determined to transform Kenya through the implementation of his administration’s key pillars, particularly affordable housing and universal health coverage.

“It is God who gave me this job—the opportunity to lead and serve Kenya. He also gave me the assignment to transform this nation, and I will see it through,” he said.

Noting that programmes such as affordable housing have been on the agenda for decades without implementation, the President said it was now his responsibility to actualise that vision.