President William Ruto has challenged his political opponents to abandon tribal mobilisation and present Kenyans with alternative programmes, saying the 2027 General Election should be fought on ideas, leadership and development.
“The retrogressive politics of tribalism, hatred, division, empty slogans and name-calling have no place in modern Kenya,” President Ruto said in Bungoma County.
“Our country must move forward based on ideas, leadership and a shared national purpose.”
The President spoke during his visit to Western Kenya, where he launched construction of the 41-kilometre Bukembe-Nzoia Market-Mutomolo road and access roads in Kanduyi Constituency.
Ruto used the road project to make a broader political argument — that voters should assess leaders by what they have delivered and the vision they offer rather than the communities from which they come.
“Kenyans will judge leaders by their track record and the vision they offer,” he said.
“That is why we are focused on delivering the commitments in our manifesto, transforming lives and rallying Kenyans behind a bold new vision to build a modern and prosperous nation, and place Kenya on the path to a first-world economy.”
The President's remarks are part of an increasingly familiar political message in which he presents his administration's development record as an alternative to what he describes as the ethnic politics of previous election cycles.
In July, Ruto similarly warned against leaders using tribal rhetoric, saying: “Tribalism divides us and weakens us. Those using abuse to divide Kenyans are stupid without brains. This cannot move any country.”
He has also argued that development should be the measure by which politicians are judged.
“If you have an alternative plan, tell the people of Kenya. William Ruto is doing so many kilometres of road; what will you do?” he asked in February.
The President has repeatedly framed the coming election as a choice between his development programme and what he portrays as an opposition politics built around criticism without an alternative agenda.
In June, he put the challenge to his rivals in similarly direct terms.
“At first they said what William Ruto was promising was impossible. Now I want them to come to Western Kenya and see for themselves,” he said, while citing projects and programmes in the region.
He pointed to the revival of Mumias and Sony sugar companies, road construction, healthcare and the recruitment of teachers as evidence of what his administration has delivered.
“Mumias was dead, Sony was dead, but today they have come back to life,” he said.
Development takes centre stage
The Bungoma road launch fits into the President's broader strategy of using infrastructure projects to demonstrate his administration's record as he seeks another term in 2027.
Ruto has said the government is accelerating road construction while pursuing projects in housing, healthcare, agriculture and education.
The President's official website says the government is targeting the tarmacking of 6,000 kilometres of already contracted roads as part of its 2026 development programme.
In Western Kenya, the administration has also highlighted projects in the sugar sector, healthcare, education and infrastructure as evidence that the region is benefiting from government investment.
Bungoma Governor Kenneth Lusaka has defended the administration's development record, telling professionals in the county that they should assess government performance through projects rather than political rhetoric.
“I have worked closely with this administration in negotiating for Bungoma’s development priorities, and I have seen project after project move from the drawing board to implementation,” Mr Lusaka said.
