President William Ruto on Wednesday accused his political critics of fueling ethnic division and hate speech, warning that leaders promoting tribal politics would eventually be held accountable, as he began a five-day development tour of Kenya’s Coast region.
Speaking in Mombasa, President Ruto struck a combative tone, saying Kenya could not afford to slide into ethnic hostility at a time when the country was grappling with economic pressure and political tension.
“For those of you who are visionless, you will not divide our nation using ethnicity. You will not divide our nation using hate,” the President told supporters during a public address.
His remarks came days after the death of Rachel Wandeto, a woman who died following a suspected petrol attack in Mwiki, on the outskirts of Nairobi. Investigators are still examining the circumstances surrounding the killing, which has sparked outrage online and renewed debate over political rhetoric and public safety.
Mr Ruto suggested that the attack reflected a growing culture of ethnic profiling and intolerance.
“The life of Rachel Wandeto will not go unanswered,” he said. “Rachel Wandeto has been killed because of your hate, because of your tribalism, because of the profiling you have done against other Kenyans.”
The President, however, did not directly name the individuals or groups he believed were responsible for spreading such sentiments. His comments are likely to deepen an already tense political climate, with opposition figures accusing the government of failing to address the rising cost of living and growing public frustration. Critics of the administration have also argued that the government has increasingly responded to dissent with political attacks rather than dialogue.
The Coast tour marks President Ruto’s latest attempt to reinforce his administration’s development agenda ahead of another politically charged season. According to State House, the visit will focus on infrastructure, land reform and housing projects across the six counties of the region.
Among the key initiatives is an accelerated title deed programme aimed at resolving long-running land ownership disputes that have shaped Coast politics for decades.
The President is also expected to inspect and launch fish markets, modern trading centres, road projects, electricity connectivity schemes, affordable housing developments and education infrastructure in Mombasa, Lamu, Kilifi, Kwale and Tana River counties.
Land ownership remains one of the most sensitive political issues at the Coast, where communities have for years complained of historical injustices, delayed title processing and displacement.
While government supporters welcomed the President’s development pledges, opposition leaders have continued to question whether the projects will translate into meaningful economic relief for ordinary Kenyans.
The investigation into Wandeto’s death remains ongoing, with detectives earlier seeking more time to detain a taxi driver linked to the case as they analyse phone and location data.
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