Ruto Rebukes Broad-Based Leaders Over Silence, Says Government Record Is Being Overshadowed

NAIVASHA, Kenya- President William Ruto has challenged leaders supporting his broad-based government to take a more active role in communicating the administration’s record, saying their failure to engage the media has allowed opposition narratives, misinformation and criticism to dominate public discussion.

Ruto spoke on Monday during the ongoing broad-based government retreat in Naivasha, where leaders from the Kenya Kwanza and ODM sides are meeting ahead of the 2027 General Election. The retreat brings together Members of Parliament, Senators, Governors, Cabinet Secretaries and other leaders.

The President said some leaders had remained silent because they felt intimidated despite what he described as the government’s record since taking office.

“The reason why some of us don’t speak is because we have been intimidated as though we have done nothing,” Ruto said.

He questioned why leaders supporting the administration were not publicly defending its record.

“Which other administration has done what we have done?” he asked.

Ruto said the lack of government voices in the media had created space for the opposition to dominate public discourse.

“The media people keep on telling me that your people refuse to come to the media houses,” he said.

“We are bombarded with opposition nonsense, propaganda, fake news and misinformation when we have a credible record that no one can dispute,” the President added.

Ruto urges leaders to use media platforms

The President’s remarks amounted to a direct call for leaders within the broad-based administration to become more visible in public communication and use media platforms to explain government programmes and achievements.

Ruto said leaders should not leave the responsibility of communicating government work to a small group of officials.

His comments came as the broad-based political formation began discussions on its political direction one year before the 2027 General Election.

The Naivasha retreat is being held from August 9 to 11 and is focused on reviewing the broad-based government arrangement and preparations for the next election.

The meeting has attracted more than 250 National Assembly members and 45 Senators, alongside other senior government officials.

Government record becomes central to 2027 preparations

Ruto’s emphasis on communication comes as the administration begins positioning its record at the centre of its political preparations for 2027.

The President has previously urged government officials and political leaders to communicate programmes implemented by his administration, including reforms in health, housing, agriculture, infrastructure and other sectors.

At the Naivasha retreat, the broader political question is how the UDA-ODM partnership will operate as the country moves towards the 2027 election.

Leaders are also expected to review the partnership and discuss the framework for future political cooperation.

The participation of ODM leaders has added a political dimension to the meeting, with the party now working alongside Ruto’s UDA within the broad-based government.

ODM acting leader Oburu Oginga has defended the party’s decision to work with Ruto, while other leaders have called for clarity on the future of the arrangement.

The Naivasha meeting therefore brings together both the governance and political components of the partnership as the 2027 election approaches.

Ruto’s latest remarks place communication of the government’s record among the issues he wants broad-based leaders to address, particularly through direct engagement with the media and the public.

The President’s challenge comes exactly one year before Kenyans are scheduled to vote on August 10, 2027.