President William Ruto has stepped up his attacks on the opposition, accusing rival politicians of lacking a plan for Kenya and relying on slogans and insults instead of offering an alternative programme.
During his recent tour of Nyanza, the President repeatedly challenged his opponents to explain what they would do differently if given the opportunity to govern.
In Siaya on Tuesday, September 15, Dr Ruto accused opposition politicians of being divided and more interested in political positions than policy.
“They have no unity. They are now speaking in tongues. They are stuck in one-term and must-go slogans,” he said.
He said Kenyans could not afford to experiment with leaders who had no clear programme, while defending the broad-based government as a vehicle for implementing his development agenda.
“The nation is not going to gamble with people doing trial and error. We have a plan for our nation and a vision to carry Kenya into the future,” Dr Ruto said.
He added: “People of Kenya will not gamble.”
The President's remarks came as opposition leaders intensify efforts to build a common political platform ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Dr Ruto has also challenged his critics to move beyond attacking his administration and present their own proposals to voters.
“The broad-based government is the only formation with the capacity to unite the nation, plan for the transformation of the country and have a vision,” he said.
The exchanges have increasingly become personal, with Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna emerging as one of the President's most vocal critics.
Dr Ruto recently used the term waganga while referring to his political opponents during his tour of the South Rift, saying they had allegedly been advised that they did not need policies or an agenda.
“Wale majamaa, wamesema wameambiwa na sponsor, sijui na waganga eti hawahitaji sera, hawahitaji mipango, hawahitaji agenda, eti wanahitaji matusi na kisirani,” Dr Ruto said.
He challenged his opponents to return to their alleged advisers for further guidance.
“Nyinyi majamaa skizeni, kama sponsor wenu na waganga wenu waliwaambia eti kisirani na matusi inatosha kubadilisha Kenya, rudini kwa waganga wenu muelezwe vizuri,” he said.
The remarks drew a response from Sifuna, who accused the President of returning to the political insults he had previously directed at opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“Sasa Ruto amewachana na hii matusi ya town, ati vile tuko chini, vile tuko down. Amerudi ile matusi alikuwa anatukana Raila Amollo Odinga,” Sifuna said at a Linda Mwananchi rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi.
“Saa hii anatuita waganga, kidogo atasema sisi ni watu wa vitendawili, kidogo kidogo atasema sisi ni watu wa kung’oa reli,” he added.
Sifuna then directly challenged Dr Ruto over his bid for a second term.
“William Ruto, you are going to be the first one-term president in the Republic of Kenya,” he told the crowd.
The exchange came as opposition leaders, including Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo, stepped up mobilisation under the Linda Mwananchi movement.
Dr Ruto's attacks on the opposition have coincided with his development tours across regions where his administration is seeking to expand its support.
In Nyanza, he launched and inspected several projects while also taking his political message directly to residents.
In Siaya, the President announced Sh10 billion for blue economy projects in the region and Sh32 billion for five roads covering about 400 kilometres. He also pledged that the long-delayed Dhogoye Bridge in Bondo would be completed by February 2027.
The President's political message has remained focused on his administration's record and the need for his opponents to present an alternative.
As the opposition works on its own political arrangements, Dr Ruto has continued to frame the emerging contest around competing programmes.
His latest attacks have ensured that the political exchanges are no longer confined to party meetings, but are increasingly playing out during his public engagements and development tours.
