President William Ruto on Sunday took his unity message to Western Kenya, downplaying the opposition push to make him a one-term President.
Speaking during a church service in Kakamega, he accused his critics of lacking a coherent development agenda.
“We cannot hand over to people who have no plans, no programmes to take this country forward,” Ruto said.
“Their biggest strength is dividing Kenyans, tribalism and propagating the politics of shares.”
He was addressing a joint church service at Friends Comprehensive School Kivaywa in Lugari.
The President said his administration has delivered tangible benefits to Kenyans.
He
cited revival of the sugarcane industry following the leasing of
state-owned sugar mills, as well as reforms in education and health.
He said the government's development agenda transcends political affiliations, aiming to uplift all Kenyans.
Ruto
defended his political deal with ODM leader Raila Odinga, saying they
are determined to remove any barrier dividing Kenyans.
“When
we agreed to unite this country, we agreed to bring everyone on board
and to remove all the barriers that divide us,” Ruto said.
On
the sugar reforms, the President said the leasing programme has
revitalise the ailing sector, with farmers now assured of regular
payments for their cane.
“Sugarcane will no longer be a poverty crop,” Ruto said.
“That
is why we decided to reform the management of our sugar mills. As we
speak, our farmers are now getting payment on a regular basis.”
The President said his administration plans to address youth unemployment.
He said the government is exploring foreign opportunities for the youth as well establishing ICT centres in all constituencies.
“All these programmes can only be possible if we join hands with all leaders to make sure all our youths are engaged,” he said.
Ruto
was accompanied by National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, area
Governor Fernadez Barasa and his counterparts Ken Lusaka (Bungoma) and
Johnson Sakaja (Nairobi).
Also present were MPs Nabi Nabwera (Lugari), John Waluke (Sirisia), Tindi Mwale (Butere), Maurice Kaikai (Kiminini) and Didmus Barasa (Kimilili).
The leaders, however, pledged to throw their weight behind Ruto’s re-election bid in 2027.
Sirisia
MP John Waluke, who chairs the Western MPs caucus, rooted for the
region’s unity to enable them to bargain for Ruto’s running mate in
2027.
He said the only way to ensure the community is on the negotiation table is by joining forces behind one of their own.
He
said his caucus will convene a meeting soon, which will bring all the
political titans from the region together to forge a united front ahead
of the 2027 polls.
“In
the next two weeks, we will all converge with Wetang’ula, Musalia
[Mudavadi], even Eugene [Wamalwa] to make sure all our votes are cast in
one basket, that is for William Ruto,” Waluke said.
“We want our people to unite under one people party and produce one candidate who can become Ruto’s running mate.”
Wetang’ula welcomed the idea of a united Western, saying Luhya unity is critical to pushing the community’s interest.
“Unity is not just good, it is also pleasant,” he said.
“This
must be the clarion call. Our unity does not mean excluding anyone. Our
unity is the building bloc for the unity of this country.”
Governor Barasa praised the national government’s interventions in the region and said the area will reciprocate in 2027.
“In today’s declaration, we are decided that we will all rally behind you in your second term,” he said.
Sakaja also called for unity of the region, saying it is the only way to push the area’s agenda to the national table.
“Let unity be our matching anthem,” he said.
MP Barasa dismissed the one-term call by Ruto’s critics.
“Don’t give any attention to those Pharisees,” he said.
“All they want is to distract our agenda of transforming this country.”
