Ruto takes development agenda to Kalonzo’s Ukambani backyard, taunts opposition

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President William Ruto has called on the opposition to devise better arguments against his development agenda as he doubled down on attacks against critics when he toured Wiper Patriotic Front leader Kalonzo Musyoka’s backyard.

The Head of State accused the opposition of lacking a concrete campaign agenda and being preoccupied with dividing Kenyans along ethnic lines.

He sustained the impression that opposition leaders were running errands for former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

“Even if you are hired and have agreed to be puppets, do not embarrass yourselves. You are embarrassing yourselves by saying that the biggest problem with the affordable housing programme is that a chicken cannot climb stairs. That is foolish. Look for a better argument,” he said when he addressed three different forums across Machakos County on Saturday.

“You are embarrassing yourselves by vowing to dismantle the Social Health Authority,” he added.

The message was understood to be tailored for Mr Musyoka, former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, who have separately intensified their criticism of President Ruto. They have maintained that denying him a second term is an important agenda.

“As Kenyans, we have raised the bar of leadership. It is no longer about insults and slogans. The people of Kenya will assess every leader on account of their track record, plan and vision. Kenyans have no business with those dividing them. Those dividing Kenyans by labelling some ‘cousins’, others ‘traitors’ and others ‘enemies’ have no place in Kenya. Kenya needs unity. We are all brothers,” President Ruto said at Kimutwa Township, where he addressed a roadside rally.

The outing also took the Head of State to Scott Christian University and Makaveti Township.

He inspected an ongoing modern market at Kimutwa Township and launched a road project at Makaveti Township while wooing the vote-rich region, which has voted overwhelmingly for the opposition in the last three elections.

He reiterated the commitment of his administration to ensuring that all parts of the country are developed equally.

“For many years, the Ukambani region has suffered marginalisation. That is old-school politics. I have decided to ensure that this region no longer lags behind in terms of development. As we develop other parts of the country, we shall develop Machakos County,” he said.

The highlight of the tour was the launch of the tarmacking of the Makaveti-Kyangala-Iiuni Road. Machakos Town MP Caleb Mutiso said the 20-kilometre road would unlock the economic potential of the remote countryside.

“We have set aside Sh2 billion for constructing seven new roads in Machakos County. We are also completing eight roads which have stalled,” President Ruto said.

At Kimutwa Township, President Ruto renewed an earlier commitment to complete 20 new modern markets across the county.

“We have set aside Sh35 billion for the affordable housing programme, which will also deliver modern markets and hostels for 7,500 students in Machakos County,” he said.

At Scott Christian University, where he addressed thousands of African Brotherhood Church women, President Ruto called on the church and other religious organisations to play an active role in advancing critical national conversations such as Beyond Vision 2030, which seeks to define a long-term development agenda. He offered them Sh10 million to buy a bus they had requested to enhance evangelism.

Aviation Principal Secretary Teresia Mbaika and MPs Caleb Mutiso (Machakos Town), Vincent Musyoka (Mwala), Joshua Mwalyo (Masinga) and Mwengi Mutuse (Kibwezi West) accompanied President Ruto.

While rallying the region behind President Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, they took turns praising him for improved access to healthcare services through the Social Health Authority insurance scheme and for rolling out infrastructure projects meant to improve lives.

Reporting originally appeared via Nation Africa. Read the full source for additional context.