President William Ruto has challenged his political rivals to offer voters a credible alternative to his administration’s policies, warning that unity alone will not be enough to defeat him in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking in Chebara, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Tuesday, the President accused opposition leaders of concentrating on political alliances and ethnic calculations instead of presenting solutions to the country’s problems.
“Unite or not, if you have no agenda, we will beat you very early in the morning,” Ruto said.
His remarks come as opposition figures explore ways to bring their parties together and field a joint candidate to challenge his re-election bid.
Ruto argued that political coalitions should be judged by their policies and plans for the country rather than by their ability to rally communities against a common opponent.
“Our competitors have no plan for the country. They cannot tell us their agenda. They cannot tell us their vision,” he said, accusing them of focusing on ethnic arithmetic rather than policy proposals.
The President urged residents to reject what he described as divisive politics, saying the country needed leaders who could address its economic and social challenges.
“I want to urge you, don’t accept those who lack an agenda and want to take us back to the old politics of measuring leadership with tribalism, discrimination and insults,” he said.
Ruto defends his development record
The President also defended his administration’s record, pointing to the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which formed the centrepiece of his 2022 election campaign.
He said the programme provided a framework for tracking government commitments and assessing his administration’s performance.
“In 2022, the people of Kenya voted for a plan. The people of Kenya voted for a Bottom-Up Transformation Agenda, and that is how we have managed to transform this nation,” Ruto said.
He maintained that voters should use a similar approach when deciding who should lead the country after the next election.
“In 2027, I am asking the people of Kenya: let us vote for a plan. Let us vote for an agenda. Let us vote in the right people because that is how we are going to change our country,” he said.
Ruto further challenged his opponents to develop their own policy proposals and compete with his administration on the basis of their plans for Kenya.
“If you want to compete with us, look for a plan, an agenda, work for transformation, and let us meet at the ballot,” he said.
Opposition unity takes centre stage
The President’s comments come as opposition leaders consider forming a united front ahead of the 2027 polls. Such an alliance could bring together parties and political figures seeking to challenge his administration, although its final composition and presidential candidate remain matters for the opposition to resolve.
Ruto’s emphasis on policy presents the election as a contest between his administration’s development record and the alternatives offered by his rivals. His criticism of ethnic-based alliances also seeks to challenge the opposition’s efforts to build a broad coalition.
However, the effectiveness of his administration’s agenda and the opposition’s proposals will ultimately be matters for voters to assess.
The President also urged residents to obtain national identity cards and register as voters, highlighting the importance of participation in the next election.
“Will you take IDs and voters’ cards?” he asked the crowd.
With the 2027 election approaching, the contest is likely to centre on competing policy promises, the government’s record and the opposition’s ability to agree on a common political direction.
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