President William Ruto on Saturday challenged opposition leaders to put forward substantive development proposals, insisting that Kenyans deserve to hear alternative ideas rather than what he termed “politics of hate and division.”
The President made the remarks during a church service at the Gospel Embassy Chapel in Kisii County, where he defended his administration’s reform agenda and warned critics against dismissing government programmes without offering solutions.
“We have a problem in this country. Some leaders have no vision. And where there is no vision people perish,” Ruto told worshippers. “This is why we are asking those criticising our transformation agenda to tell us their alternative plans if they are, indeed, intelligent.”
Ruto, who has frequently clashed with the opposition over the pace and direction of economic reforms, argued that some leaders are openly sceptical about his long-term plan to elevate Kenya from third-world to first-world status. “I want to ask those who don't believe in our transformation agenda to pave way for those who are committed to the prosperity of this great nation,” he said.
The President said ongoing investments in housing, health, education, energy and infrastructure would form the foundation of that transformation. “I will do everything possible to transform this country. Yes, it is possible,” he said.
In Kisii, Ruto highlighted what he described as unprecedented state investment, saying KSh32 billion had been allocated to affordable housing, new markets and student hostels. He also announced a raft of land-use changes around Kisii town: the relocation of the Kisii Agricultural Show offices to allow expansion of the Kisii Stadium, and the movement of Kisii Prison to create space for 10,000 housing units.
On stalled projects, the President said the contractor for the planned cancer centre had been dismissed for delays and replaced with another firm. “The government will not hesitate to terminate contracts of lazy contractors. Construction works should always be completed in time,” he warned.
Ruto praised Kisii residents for what he termed a strong turnout in the ongoing Social Health Authority (SHA) registration drive. He said 547,000 people—roughly 45 percent of the county’s population—had already signed up. “Health is not a privilege for a few but a right for all Kenyans,” he said, urging more residents to enrol. He added that funds had been released to connect 30,000 new households to electricity.
Education Cabinet Secretary Migos Ogamba, also present at the church service, assured parents that the transition from Junior School to Senior School was progressing smoothly.
“The transition from Grade 9 to Grade 10 is well on course. There is nothing to worry about,” he said.
The event drew a sizeable delegation of local leaders, including Deputy Governor Robert Monda and MPs Zaheer Jhanda, Alfa Miruka, Sylvanus Osoro, Japheth Nyakundi and Donya Aburi, alongside Nyamira Woman Rep Jerusha Momanyi, MPs Steve Mogaka and Joash Nyamoko, and Nominated Senator Essy Okenyuri.
Ruto’s remarks come at a time of heightened political tension over the government’s economic policies, including housing levies, tax reforms and the rollout of SHA, which replaces NHIF. The opposition has accused the administration of burdening Kenyans with new costs amid rising living expenses, while the President has maintained that the reforms are necessary to secure long-term economic stability and improve service delivery.
