President William Ruto speaks at State House, calling on government and opposition leaders to embrace dialogue, safeguard national unity and prioritise Kenya's future over politics. /PCS
As political temperatures begin to rise ahead of the 2027 General Election, President William Ruto has urged leaders to put politics aside and begin a national conversation focused on Kenya's future rather than the next vote.
Speaking at State House on Tuesday, Ruto said the country needs an honest, inclusive and sustained dialogue on its long-term direction, adding that the process could take months or even a year.
"We must have a robust conversation as a country on what the future of Kenya is. This is not about the next election; this is about the future of Kenya," the President said.
He reminded leaders that elections are temporary, but the country's future affects every Kenyan regardless of who wins or loses.
"The next election will come and go. Whoever wins or loses the next election will still be here. Nobody is going to leave the country. The future of Kenya will matter to everybody—those who win and those who lose," he said.
Ruto urged leaders across the political divide to approach national issues with patriotism, honesty and integrity, saying those values should guide public discourse and decision-making.
The President also reflected on discussions at the recent G7 Summit, where artificial intelligence and the growing influence of social media featured prominently. He noted that Kenya ranks among the world's leading users of social media and called on citizens to use digital platforms responsibly.
He said Kenya must continue investing in education, national security and social cohesion to secure the country's future.
Drawing parallels with the conflict in Sudan, Ruto warned against taking peace and stability for granted.
"Khartoum was a beautiful city three years ago. Today it is rubble, and the rest of the world has moved on. We must secure our country," he said.
The Head of State also addressed recent anti-government demonstrations, acknowledging that peaceful protests are protected under the Constitution while condemning incidents of looting, arson and destruction of property witnessed during some of the protests.
He said leaders must listen to the concerns of young people and other citizens but insisted that criminal acts should not be tolerated.
Ruto concluded by urging both government and opposition leaders to embrace constructive dialogue, saying Kenya's prosperity depends on unity, peaceful coexistence and a shared commitment to building a stronger nation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
