President William Ruto has accused opposition leaders of being misled by political sponsors into opposing government development projects, as the political battle ahead of the 2027 General Election intensifies.
Ruto said some of his critics were being used to undermine projects being implemented by his administration, arguing that their opposition was not based on the interests of ordinary Kenyans.
The President challenged his opponents to explain what they would do differently instead of concentrating on attacking his administration.
“Their agenda is one term, Kasongo. They should find an agenda for Kenyans and not William Ruto. I will shame them for what I have done,” Ruto said during his recent development tour of Bomet County.
Ruto has increasingly made development projects a central part of his political message, pointing to roads, affordable housing, healthcare and youth programmes as evidence of what his administration has delivered.
He has also challenged opposition leaders to present an alternative manifesto and explain how they would finance their proposed programmes, accusing them of making his removal from office the centre of their politics.
The President's remarks come as Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua emerge as some of the most vocal critics of his administration.
Sifuna has rejected Ruto's argument that the opposition lacks an agenda, saying its immediate objective is to restore meritocracy in government and remove the President from power.
“We are being told that Sh12 billion was spent on hospitality at State House, in a country where we are told we have no cash for capitation,” Sifuna said in the Senate, questioning government spending priorities.
On Sunday, Sifuna escalated his criticism during the Linda Mwananchi rally in Nairobi, accusing Ruto of undermining devolution.
“I have learned that the main challenge to devolution is President William Samoei Ruto,” Sifuna said at the Jacaranda Grounds rally.
Sifuna has also accused the government of failing to release adequate funds to counties, arguing that delays in disbursements affect the delivery of essential services and development projects.
Gachagua, meanwhile, has taken aim at Ruto's presentation of government development projects, accusing the President of taking credit for work undertaken by county governments.
Following Ruto's tour of Bomet, Gachagua claimed that the President had little to launch or commission that had been undertaken by the national government.
“Mr William Ruto visited Bomet County yesterday to quell the public dissatisfaction that his lying and brutal regime had nothing for the residents and that he obtained their votes by false pretenses. The National Government has done nothing for the people of Bomet County; just false promises,” Gachagua said.
The former deputy president has also positioned himself as part of efforts to build a united opposition ahead of the 2027 elections. He recently said he was open to deputising Sifuna if opposition leaders settled on the Nairobi senator as their presidential candidate.
The growing exchange has turned government development projects into another front in the emerging 2027 political contest.
Ruto has sought to use his development tours to showcase projects and rally support for his administration, while his opponents have increasingly questioned their implementation, ownership and impact.
The President's allies have similarly accused opposition leaders of being sponsored to frustrate government programmes. The accusations have previously extended to claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta was financing opposition activities, allegations that have been denied by Uhuru allies.
