President William Ruto on Sunday took a walk in Kitui, interacting with residents and boda boda operators before attending a church service in what is considered the political backyard of Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka.
Videos circulating on social media showed the Head of State stopping to greet members of the public, shaking hands with traders and boda boda riders as he made his way to ACK St. Martin's Cathedral for the Sunday service.
"Nimesema niwasalimie, habari muungwana? Mko kibarua? Hata mimi nang'ang'ana na kibarua. Nataka kukunywa maji hapa halafu tutaongea," Ruto was heard telling the residents.
The warm reception came as the President continued his development tour of Kitui County, a region that has traditionally been regarded as Kalonzo's political stronghold.
Ruto's visit is politically significant given his long-running rivalry with the former Vice President, who has emerged as one of the government's fiercest critics and a key figure in the opposition.
The President's church attendance followed an inspection tour on Saturday of the ongoing construction of the 25-kilometre Chuluni–Zombe Road in Zombe, Kitui County.
Accompanied by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Ruto assessed the progress of the road project, which was launched in November 2025 and is being upgraded to bitumen standards.
The government says the road is expected to transform transport and spur economic growth by improving connectivity between Chuluni, Zombe and Kitui Town.
"Once completed, the road is expected to improve mobility, ease transportation of people and goods, and enhance access to the markets of Chuluni, Zombe and Kitui Town, boosting trade and economic activities in the region," the President said.
The visit also revived memories of the sharp political exchanges between Ruto and Kalonzo over infrastructure development in Kitui.
In previous public addresses, Ruto criticised the Wiper leader, questioning his development record despite having served in senior government positions for decades.
The President argued that Kalonzo had failed to ensure the construction of basic infrastructure, including the road leading to his home in Tseikuru, despite his long tenure in government.
Kalonzo dismissed the criticism, saying Ruto had misrepresented his years in public service and insisting he had served for 40—not 50—years.
The opposition leader also maintained that major infrastructure projects, including the Kibwezi–Kitui–Tseikuru–Ethiopia road, were initiated during his time in government before later administrations slowed or stalled their implementation.
Ruto, however, rejected the claims, insisting that key road projects in the region were completed during the Jubilee administration.
The exchange has become one of the defining political disputes between the two leaders as they continue to trade accusations over development records ahead of the 2027 General Election.
