Ruto accuses opposition of ‘dragging’ Kenya back as Gachagua dismisses First World dream

President William Ruto has accused the opposition of holding back the country’s progress through negativity and a lack of vision.

Speaking on Sunday at ACK All Saints’ Pro-Cathedral Church in Maralal, Samburu county, Ruto said the opposition had refused to believe in Kenya’s potential to become a developed nation.

 “I see many people who do not believe in our country, many who are negative about Kenya,” the President said. 

“If you are a leader in Kenya and you don’t believe in this country or have any meaningful plan to change it—your words are all negative—you are taking us back.”

Ruto’s comments come amidst increasing criticism from the opposition, led by his impeached deputy Rigathi Gachagua and Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.

During a service at PCEA Kayole in Embakasi Central, Nairobi, yesterday, Gachagua dismissed Ruto’s pledge to elevate Kenya to a First World nation as unrealistic.

“I hear Ruto saying he has a plan to elevate Kenya to a First World country within three years,” Gachagua said, adding that the country lacks the fundamentals for such an ambitious transformation.

 He cited the strained education system, struggling healthcare sector and harsh business environment as indicators that Kenya is moving in the opposite direction, away from progress.

He added that Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi recently said the government may be unable to continue funding free secondary education from January due to budgetary pressures.

Such warnings point to deeper systemic problems, Gachagua said.

The opposition has also accused the President of overtaxing Kenyans, enabling abductions of dissenters and presiding over human rights abuses. It rallies under the “Wantam” slogan to make Ruto a one-term president.

 The President has dismissed the opposition as a “visionless and planless” team whose only agenda is to unseat him in the 2027 elections.

He also urged Kenyans to be generous and support government initiatives meant to uplift the poor, a message seemingly directed at those complaining about high taxation.

“Those of us who are blessed with jobs, wealth and pay slips should share so that others who live in slums and areas without proper infrastructure can also own homes,” Ruto said.

“We who are blessed must share so we can achieve universal healthcare. Those who cannot afford treatment should be able to go to the hospital.” 

Ruto said Kenyans must reject what he termed a “poverty mindset” and work collectively to raise the country’s ambitions.

“As Kenyans, let us reject poverty and the lack of jobs. We must refuse to continue being a Third World country. We must do whatever it takes to raise the ambitions of our Republic to a First World nation,” he said.

He added, “Let’s believe in God, believe in ourselves and believe in our nation. That is how we will move Kenya from a Third World to a First World country.”

Citing the Americans and Europeans who developed their countries through hard work and faith, the President said Kenyans have the potential to do the same.

 “We have a great country and a blessed nation. We must work for it, believe in it and believe in ourselves,” he said.

Instant analysis

President Ruto says his administration has a clear long-term strategy to steer Kenya towards developed-nation status. He recently announced plans to table in Parliament a comprehensive framework detailing investments and reforms to transition from a Third World to a First World economy. He said Sh1.5 trillion will be required for large-scale infrastructure projects—roads, railways and airport expansions—and another Sh1.5 trillion for energy development.