President William Ruto has challenged opposition leaders to stop concentrating on coalition negotiations and the search for a joint presidential candidate, saying Kenyans are more interested in development plans than political arrangements ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking on Monday during his tour of the Gusii region, Ruto questioned why opposition politicians repeatedly announced that they remained united and would eventually agree on one presidential candidate.
He argued that whether the opposition presented one candidate or several was an internal political matter that should not dominate public debate.
“I am surprised that some people keep making a lot of noise. I don't know why every morning they keep telling us that they are still together. Every morning they say they have not fallen apart, that they will present one candidate. I don't know how many candidates they will present,” Ruto said.
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“For the last one and a half years, you have been telling us stories that you will have one candidate. You keep saying you have not fallen apart and that you are still together. Who asked you?”
The President added that Kenyans were not concerned about whether opposition leaders remained united or how many candidates they intended to field.
“Who cares whether you are together, whether you have one candidate or 10 candidates? That is your own business,” he said.
Ruto maintained that voters wanted political leaders to explain how they intended to address everyday challenges, including the cost of living, agriculture, education, infrastructure and healthcare.
He said farmers were interested in policies that would improve agricultural production and increase their earnings, while parents wanted to know how leaders planned to improve education for their children.
The President also cited roads and access to healthcare as important issues that should feature prominently in political campaigns.
He contrasted his administration's development agenda with what he described as the opposition's preoccupation with political negotiations.
“The difference between us and our competitors is like day and night. They talk about how they are organising themselves, while we talk about the people,” he said.
Ruto questions claims of owning voters' support
The President also criticised politicians who claim to command millions of votes, arguing that no individual or political leader owns the support of voters.
He questioned the practice of leaders allegedly attending political meetings and presenting themselves as having millions of votes to contribute to coalition negotiations.
“You hear of three people going somewhere to sit down for a meeting. Three men sit down and start saying, ‘You know, I have a sack containing 10 million votes. I have a sack containing three million votes. I have another sack containing, I don't know how many votes.’ What exactly are you taking us for?” he posed.
Ruto challenged Kenyans to question whether politicians could legitimately claim to carry other people's votes or determine how citizens should vote.
“Can one person carry another person's votes? Are you the ones who will be decided for, or are you the ones who will make the decision?” he asked.
He urged politicians to respect voters and recognise their freedom to make independent political choices.
“Please, my friends, show the people some respect. Stop looking down on the people by claiming that you carry their votes in your pockets and sacks, as though they were potatoes or something. These people are intelligent. They are the ones who will decide who becomes a leader and who does not,” he added.
Ruto's remarks come as opposition leaders continue exploring possible political cooperation and discussions over a joint presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.
The debate over opposition unity, coalition formation and presidential succession is expected to remain a major feature of Kenya's political landscape as the country moves closer to the next General Election.