Ruto brands rivals 'below par', vows to crush them in 2027 race

President William Ruto on Sunday launched an attack on the opposition, dismissing its leaders as "stupid" and declaring they would suffer an early defeat in the 2027 General Election.

 During a tour of Meru county, the President said his rivals had spent decades in leadership without delivering anything meaningful for Kenyans.

 He accused the united opposition, which has stepped up efforts to unseat him in next year's election, of relying on insults, hatred and tribal politics instead of offering solutions.

 "Some people have been leaders in this country for 50 years. They have nothing to show for it," Ruto said.

 "The only job they have done is to give me the name 'Kasongo'. They have no plan, no agenda and no programme."

 In his strongest attack yet, the President described opposition leaders as "very stupid" and "below par". He said they would be defeated "at breakfast time" in the next election.

 "We will show them dust. They should prepare their agenda early enough. Without that, we will beat them very early in the morning," he said.

 Ruto made the remarks during the 60^th anniversary celebrations of Burieruri High School. He later addressed roadside rallies, turning the visit into a political campaign.

 The President also defended his frequent visits across the country. Critics have accused him of spending too much time on political tours instead of running the government.

 "I am not a king. I am an employee of the people of Kenya," he said.

 "I don't need anyone's permission to travel. I was employed by Kenyans, and I must listen to them."

 He said previous presidents had concentrated on only a few regions. His administration, he said, would serve every county equally.

 "I don't want to be just another President. I want to transform this nation," he said.

 Ruto accused the opposition of celebrating protests instead of proposing policies to improve the country.

 "They don't talk about schools, agriculture, roads or hospitals. Their work is insults, tribalism and hatred," he said.

 He urged Meru residents to reject leaders who divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.

 "Don't accept insults. Don't accept tribalism. Kenya is one country," he said.

 The President also used the tour to strengthen Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's standing in the Mt Kenya region.

 Without mentioning former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua by name, Ruto praised Kindiki and suggested he was a better leader.

 "When Kindiki's time comes, he will shock them," he said.

 Kindiki urged Meru residents to remain in the Kenya Kwanza administration despite calls by some leaders to join the opposition.

 "Some people are telling us to leave the government. Is that not stupidity?" Kindiki asked.

 "We are already in government. We will stay with President Ruto."

 Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma also rallied residents behind the President. He said the region wanted greater influence in government through Kindiki.

 "Other communities want power. Even Meru wants power. We will achieve it through our deputy president," the governor said.

 Meru leaders also revisited the emotive politics pitting Mt Kenya East against Mt Kenya West. They accused their counterparts from Mt Kenya West of being selfish.

 "There is nothing like Wantam. We supported Jomo Kenyatta for 15 years. We supported Mwai Kibaki for 10 years and Uhuru Kenyatta for 10 years. When Kindiki's time comes, they are saying Wantam," Tigania East MP Mpuru Aburi said.

 Ruto also sought public backing for the construction of Maua Stadium and a State Lodge in Meru.

 "Do you want us to build a State Lodge here?" he asked the crowd.

 "If other regions have one, why not Meru?"

 The President also addressed the recent wave of school fires. He said discipline was more important than academic success.

 "Our country does not just need educated people. It needs disciplined people," he said.

 He urged parents to take greater responsibility for raising their children.

 "A school can educate a child, but it cannot raise one. Parents must be present in their children's lives," he said.

 INSTANT ANALYSIS

 President Ruto's Meru tour marked a shift from development messaging to full-blown campaign politics. His repeated attacks on the opposition, coupled with his endorsement of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, underscored Kenya Kwanza's strategy to consolidate support in the vote-rich Mt Kenya region following Rigathi Gachagua's exit from government.

 By contrasting his development agenda with what he described as an opposition driven by insults and tribalism, Ruto sought to frame the 2027 race as a choice between performance and rhetoric. The strong language also signals an increasingly combative political environment as early succession and re-election campaigns gather momentum.