President William Ruto has thrown down the gauntlet, declaring that his only worthy political competitor was the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, and confidently predicting an early victory in the 2027 General Election while dismissing his current opponents as unserious and lacking a plan.
Speaking during a development tour in Malava, Kakamega County, Ruto launched a scathing attack on the opposition, framing the upcoming political battle as a mismatch. “I want to ask the people of tribalism, hatred, and enmity… tell the people of Kakamega your plans. Are those the people I am competing with?” Ruto posed to the crowd.
In a remark that is set to dominate political discourse, he stated, “The person I would have competed with is Raila, but these ones? I will finish them early in the morning. Is it true or not? It’s because they have no plan.”
Slogans vs. Substance: Ruto Mocks “Wantam” and “Kasongo”
The President dismissed popular opposition slogans like “Wantam” and “Kasongo” as empty rhetoric that would not win elections. He argued that engaging Kenyans on tangible development issues is a far more effective strategy.
“One term, Kasongo, will it change the world? Is that not foolishness?” he questioned, not mincing his words. “These guys have no plan, no policy, no agenda, they don’t even have sense.”
A Show of Force in Western Kenya
The event was a powerful display of political muscle, with Ruto flanked by a who’s who of Western Kenya leadership. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetangula, Governor Fernandes Barasa, former Governor and current CS Wycliffe Oparanya, and COTU Secretary-General Francis Atwoli stood united with the President, signaling a consolidated base.
Ruto’s four-day tour of Western Kenya is strategically focused on commissioning development projects, a move seen as bolstering his “development record” narrative against the opposition’s sloganeering.
Billions Allocated for Western Development
Turning promises into action, the President announced a massive Ksh.1 billion allocation to complete the Kakamega County Teaching and Referral Hospital. He promised it would be fully equipped with modern medical gear worth Ksh.500 million in under ten months.
“You will no longer be required to travel to Eldoret to access referral medical services at the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital. You’ll get the same services here,” he assured residents.
In a further boost for the region, Ruto gave the green light for the construction of a Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) campus in Butere. Directly addressing Butere MP Dindi Mwale, he said, “You now have the authority to build the college. Go ahead, and if you get stuck along the way, I am always here to help.”
A Nod to the Late Raila Odinga
In a moment that acknowledged a shifted political landscape, the speech referenced the late Raila Odinga, noting that before his demise, he had formed a “working arrangement” with President Ruto. This “broad-based alliance” had ended their bitter rivalry, paving the way for ODM allies to serve in Ruto’s Cabinet—a fact that underscores the current fragmentation and search for identity within the opposition.
With this bold declaration, Ruto has sharply defined the 2027 political contest as one between his administration’s development agenda and an opposition he characterizes as bankrupt of ideas, setting the stage for a highly charged election cycle.
