By James Murimi - Reporter
Kenya, 17 January 2026 - President William Ruto on Saturday launched a scathing attack on opposition leaders, questioning their development credentials and accusing them of engaging in divisive politics instead of offering solutions to Kenyans.
Speaking at Sagana State Lodge in Mathira Constituency, Nyeri County, during a meeting with grassroots leaders of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), the Head of State said his rivals had no clear plan for the country.
Addressing residents directly, Dr Ruto revisited his tenure as Agriculture Minister in the Kibaki administration, saying he spearheaded major reforms that transformed farming in Mt Kenya and across the country.
“I was the Minister for Agriculture during President Mwai Kibaki’s regime and I transformed the agricultural sector in Mt Kenya and the entire country,” he said.
Without mentioning him by name, the President appeared to target former Vice President Kalonzo Musyoka, now the Wiper Party leader and a principal in the United Opposition.
He accused the former vice president of failing to push for development even in his own backyard.
“The road leading to his home was in a mess and remains so to this day. If someone cannot agitate for a road to his own home, can he really fight for roads to your homes?” Dr Ruto posed.
The President dismissed opposition leaders as people out of touch with ordinary Kenyans.
“Do the people I am competing with have any plan for Kenyans? They are playing politics of chaos, division, hatred and anger,” he said.
Dr Ruto also defended his administration’s flagship Affordable Housing Programme, saying it was part of his Kenya Kwanza manifesto and a genuine effort to transform lives.
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“When I talk about the Singapore dream, people laugh it off. But we are serious about transforming Kenya. What we are doing through the Affordable Housing Programme is not a movie; it is a reality,” he said.
He noted that the housing initiative had been conceived during the Jubilee administration under former President Uhuru Kenyatta and himself, and wondered why it was now facing fierce resistance.
“We agreed with Uhuru Kenyatta that we should roll out this programme because it has worked in other countries. Now that I am implementing it, there is noise everywhere,” he added.
Turning to party matters, Dr Ruto celebrated the recently concluded UDA grassroots elections, describing them as democratic and inclusive.
He said about two million party members participated in the exercise, electing 580,000 officials across the country.
“This is a national and inclusive party. I will continue moving around the country to engage our grassroots officials and strengthen UDA,” the President said.
UDA National Chairperson Cecily Mbarire urged leaders from the Mt Kenya region to unite behind the ruling party ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
“All leaders elected in Mt Kenya in 2027 will be from UDA,” said Ms Mbarire, who is also the Embu County Governor.
The meeting was attended by several elected leaders from the region.
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