The Lower Eastern Times Opening The Third Eye
President William Ruto has challenged opposition leaders seeking to form a united front against him to present a clear development agenda, warning that they risk losing the 2027 General Election if they fail to offer Kenyans an alternative vision.
Speaking in Chebara, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Tuesday, the President accused his political rivals of concentrating on tribal alliances and political manoeuvres instead of proposing practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
“Unite or not, if you have no agenda, we will beat you very early in the morning,” Ruto declared.
He argued that the opposition lacked a concrete plan for the country, claiming its leaders were more interested in ethnic calculations, political insults and hostility than outlining their development priorities.
“Our competitors have no plan for the country. They cannot tell us their agenda. They cannot tell us their vision. All they are telling us is how they are going to unite on tribal arithmetic,” he said.
Ruto’s remarks come as opposition leaders explore ways to consolidate their political strength and potentially field a joint candidate to challenge his re-election bid in 2027.
The President urged Kenyans to reject what he described as divisive politics, insisting that leadership should be judged by development plans and the ability to deliver meaningful change.
“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.
He further cautioned voters against supporting leaders who, in his view, lacked clear policies for addressing the country’s needs.
Ruto Defends His Bottom-Up Economic Agenda
The Head of State defended his administration’s performance, arguing that his 2022 election victory was secured on the strength of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
He maintained that the programme had provided a clear framework for implementing campaign promises and assessing the government’s progress.
“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 added that his administration had established measurable commitments against which its performance could be evaluated.
“That is how we have been held to account in every commitment we made. Today, we have a plan and a deliberate track of what we have done,” he stated.
Looking ahead to the 2027 polls, Ruto urged voters to prioritise candidates with clear policy proposals and development programmes.
“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 Dismisses Opposition Coalition Plans
The President also criticised efforts to unite opposition parties along ethnic lines, describing such political strategies as outdated and incapable of delivering meaningful national transformation.
He challenged his opponents to develop alternative policies and compete with his administration on the basis of their development records and proposals.
“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.
Ruto also encouraged residents to acquire national identification documents and register as voters, stressing the importance of participating in the electoral process ahead of the next General Election.
“Will you take IDs and voters’ cards?” he asked the crowd.
