President William Ruto speaks in Nyatike, Migori county, during the launched of the construction of Muhuru Bay Pier, May 5, 2025. /PCSPresident William Ruto has dismissed as inconsequential ongoing opposition alliances being crafted across the country with the primary aim of unseating him during the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Monday in Migori on the second day of his tour of Nyanza, Ruto dismissed the emerging alliances as tribal outfits keen on advancing outdated politics of division.
The President said he is nonetheless ready to meet his opponents at the ballot and challenged them to come up with a plan to counter his.
"Wale majamaa, mashujaa wa ukabila na architects wa kugawanya Wakenya, sisi tunawaambia ya kwamba sisi tuko tayari kabisa. Lakini kabla hamjasonga mbele tafuteni sera kwanza," he said.
(Those guys, heroes of tribalism and architects of dividing Kenyans, we are telling you we are very ready for you. But before you proceed, come up with a plan).
The country has in recent days witnessed a surge in political alignments with the entry of former Interior CS Fred Matiang'i being the heighlight of the latest political manoeuvre.
Ruto is counting on his renewed working relations with ODM leader Raila Odinga to suppress opposition forces from uniting against his reelection, but the opposition camps are slowly forging alliances by the day.
On April 29, Matiang'i joined key opposition figures, including ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, for a crucial meeting as they firmed up their 2027 plans.
Other leaders who attended include Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, Martha Karua (PLP), Eugene Wamalwa (DAP-K), Mukhisa Kituyi, former CSs Mithika Linturi and Justin Muturi.
Remarks by former President Uhuru Kenyatta, whose Jubilee party has declared support for Matiang'i, that the youth should fearlessly agitate for a better future appear to have ignited tension in the Ruto camp.
The President mocked calls for his removal from office, saying this cannot be a viable campaign agenda.
"Ruto must go cannot be a manifesto. Hiyo manifesto ni manifesto ya chini sana. Wale watu wengine pale hawana mpango yoyote; ati mpango yao ni Ruto must go," he said.
"Na Ruto asipoenda mtado? (And if Ruto doesn't go, what will you do?" he posed.
The President expressed confidence in his track record, saying he has affordable housing project, roads and markets to show for what he has achieved, a self-score which the opposition outfits should be focusing on outsmarting instead of focusing on the only agenda of wanting him out of office.
