Ruto attacks Sifuna over affordable housing, warns electing opposition would be ‘Kenya’s biggest accident’

President William Ruto has scathingly attacked opposition leaders, accusing them of lacking an agenda and warning that electing them would be "the biggest accident" to befall Kenya.

 Ruto particularly aimed at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who has opposed the affordable housing programme and sarcastically questioned the practicality of keeping chickens in high-rise affordable housing apartments.

 "Someone is saying it is impossible to take a chicken to the 12^th floor. Is it better to take your chicken to the 12^th floor or continue living in slums? How heavy is that chicken?" he asked, drawing laughter from the crowd.

 Ruto spoke during a roadside rally in Busia after attending the consecration of the fourth Bishop of the ACK Church, Katakwa Diocese in Amagoro yesterday.

 The Nairobi senator has argued that Kenyans need better healthcare, education and other basic services before investing in large-scale housing projects.

 The exchange follows repeated criticism by Sifuna and other opposition leaders, who have vowed to reverse several flagship programmes introduced by the Kenya Kwanza administration if they win the 2027 General Election.

 Among the policies they have pledged to review are the Affordable Housing Programme, the new university funding model and the Social Health Authority (SHA).

 The former ODM secretary general has taken the country by storm, evolving from Ruto’s fiercest critic to a potential challenger for the country’s top seat in the 2027 polls.

 Over the weekend, he held massive rallies in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, attacking Ruto and vowing to send him home next year.

 In Busia, the President defended his administration's flagship programmes and dismissed criticism from the opposition.

 Ruto accused his critics of opposing key government projects, including roads, markets and affordable housing, saying such positions ignored Kenya's future urbanisation needs.

 "Some people are telling us there is no need to build roads, markets or affordable housing. I want to tell these people to use their brains," Ruto said.

 By rejecting his administration's flagship programmes, Ruto described the opposition leaders as a danger to the country's future.

 "Those people are an existential threat to the Republic of Kenya. They will be a major accident for this country. Beyond saying 'Wantam', 'Kasongo' and 'Must Go', do they have an agenda?" he asked.

 He argued that the government was planning for the country's future, noting that by 2050, nearly 60 per cent of Kenya's population would be living in urban areas.

 "That is why we are investing in affordable housing so that Kenyans can have decent living conditions in our cities. Someone is saying people should continue living in slums. Does that person really have brains?" he posed.

 The President said the opposition had failed to offer alternative policies and instead relied on political slogans and personal attacks.

 "Those people competing with me have no agenda. The biggest thing they have done is give me the nickname 'Kasongo.' They do not know how roads are built. They do not understand affordable housing or how our children are learning," he said.

 The President used the rally to highlight what he described as achievements of his administration, including reforms in agriculture, education and healthcare.

 He said the government had recruited more teachers and ensured adequate funding for university, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students regardless of their backgrounds.

 "We have laid a firm foundation for our country. Every child going to university, TVET or college will receive sufficient funding irrespective of their background," he said.

 On healthcare, Ruto said 32 million Kenyans had already registered under the Social Health Authority, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).

 He announced that 7,500 Universal Health Coverage workers would be employed on permanent and pensionable terms to strengthen healthcare delivery.

 The President also unveiled a new medical equipment financing model under which counties would receive hospital equipment worth up to Sh1.5 billion without making upfront payments.

 "The equipment will be paid for through SHA after services are provided. This month alone, we have released Sh12 billion to hospitals, an amount that under NHIF would have taken six months to disburse," he said.

 Ruto further outlined infrastructure projects in the region, including ongoing road construction, the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba and the construction of a stadium in Busia as part of a nationwide programme covering 33 stadiums.

 Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi rallied support for the President, saying the Kenya Kwanza administration remained united ahead of the next General Election.

 "We are firm with President Ruto. Others may be making noise, but in 2027 he will win and he will win without a petition," Mudavadi said.

 He also urged Kenyans to safeguard peace, saying political competition should not undermine national unity.

 "The most important thing is that we stay together and embrace peace. We do not want our country to go wayward," he said.

 Busia Governor Paul Otuoma attributed the President's reception in the county to development projects undertaken by the national government.

 "The love you have seen in Busia comes from the work you have done for us. We have agreed that we will mobilise voters to support your re-election," Otuoma said.

 INSTANT ANALYSIS

 President William Ruto's remarks signal an early intensification of the 2027 campaign, with the Affordable Housing Programme emerging as a key political battleground. By framing the opposition as lacking policies while defending his development agenda, Ruto seeks to turn flagship projects into campaign assets. His repeated emphasis on peace and crackdown on "goons" also reflects the government's security messaging ahead of the elections. The exchange with Edwin Sifuna underscores the growing contest over the Kenya Kwanza administration's legacy and priorities.