President William Ruto has stepped up his push into Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka's political stronghold, announcing more than Sh10 billion in road projects in Machakos as the two leaders trade sharp words ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Dr Ruto said the government was completing eight stalled road projects and building seven new ones across Machakos County, covering a combined 200 kilometres.
“We are completing eight stalled road projects and building seven new ones across Machakos County, covering a combined 200km at a cost of more than KSh10 billion to improve connectivity in the region,” the President said.
The Head of State also launched the construction of the 20-kilometre Makaveti-Kyangala-Iuni road in Machakos Town Constituency at a cost of Sh1 billion and inspected the progress of the Kimutwa modern market.
But his visit to Machakos, one of Musyoka's key political bases, carried a message that went beyond roads and markets.
Dr Ruto urged residents to reject politicians who oppose government projects for political reasons, saying development should not be turned into a political battle.
The President's message comes weeks after he made a direct appeal to the people of Ukambani, telling them that his government would not deny the region development because its leaders had chosen to remain in the opposition.
“Of course, you cannot force everyone. There are some who have said they do not want to work together. That is their decision,” Dr Ruto said during a visit to Ukambani last month.
“But my desire and God's will, as I see it, are to work together, and we will continue to do so. And I am telling the people of Ukambani, this government is your government, and I will give you your rightful share.”
The remarks were widely seen as directed at Musyoka, who has repeatedly rejected attempts to link him to a possible political deal with Dr Ruto.
Musyoka has instead drawn a clear line between himself and the President, insisting that any contest between them will be decided by voters in 2027.
“The only national conversation Kenyans shall have with you is at the ballot on August 10, 2027,” Mr Musyoka said this month.
“There will be no handshake. No nusu-mkate. Count the days. WANTAM.”
The Wiper leader has also dismissed claims that he could join Dr Ruto's government, saying he would not enter into a political arrangement with an administration he accuses of failing Kenyans.
Speaking in Yatta, Machakos County, Musyoka said Ruto could be defeated in the next election and ruled out working with him.
He said he could not “betray Kenyans” by joining hands with the President and declared that he would never “sing a victory song in State House” alongside Ruto.
His criticism has centred on the economy and the cost of living, with the Wiper leader arguing that Kenyans need a change of government rather than another political agreement among leaders.
Musyoka has also questioned some of the President's development plans. Earlier this month, he dismissed Ruto's proposed Vision 2060 agenda, arguing that the government should first deliver on existing commitments.
“What you need to do, Mr President, is to make sure that this country lives in accordance with the Constitution 2010. That is where we should begin. The idea is not Vision 2060,” Musyoka said.
Ruto, however, has sought to counter such criticism by taking development projects directly to Ukambani and asking residents to judge his government by what it delivers.
His latest announcement in Machakos is part of that strategy.
By putting Sh10 billion worth of road projects at the centre of his visit, the President is making a direct case to voters in a region where Mr Musyoka has remained politically influential for years.
The battle is therefore shaping up on two fronts.
Dr Ruto is asking Ukambani voters to look at roads, markets and other projects, while Mr Musyoka is asking them to judge the Kenya Kwanza government on the economy, its record in office and the promises made to Kenyans.
For Ruto, winning support in Machakos would be a major political breakthrough in Musyoka's backyard.
For the Wiper leader, keeping Machakos firmly behind him is equally important as he seeks to remain a central figure in the opposition and build support for the fight against Dr Ruto in 2027.
The President's latest visit shows that he is unwilling to leave Ukambani to Musyoka without a fight.
And Musyoka's response has been equally clear.
“We will meet at the ballot,” he has said, insisting there will be no political deal with Dr Ruto before Kenyans vote.
