NAROK, Kenya – President William Ruto has warned opposition politicians that they will “disappear in the grass” once he officially begins his 2027 re-election campaign, insisting that his current tours across the country are focused on development rather than politics.
Ruto made the remarks on Tuesday during a development tour of Narok County, where he took a combative stance against his political rivals and dismissed them as leaders without a clear agenda, plan or vision.
“I’m yet to begin my campaigns. I pity my competitors,” Ruto told a crowd in Narok.
The President said Kenyans had not yet seen the full force of his political campaign, warning that his rivals would struggle once he formally launches his re-election bid.
“You people, I want to tell you, you saw us at night, you have not seen us during the day. They are telling us that they have started campaigns. For us, we have not started the campaigns,” he said.
“When we start campaigns, you will disappear in the grass,” Ruto added.
Ruto challenges opposition on development record
The President accused opposition leaders of relying on political rhetoric, insults and tribal mobilisation instead of presenting alternative policies to Kenyans.
He challenged voters to judge leaders based on their development record rather than their political identities or ethnic affiliations.
“When you are electing leaders, are you electing faces or a person who works? Are you electing work or tribalism? Are you electing work or hatred?” he asked.
President Ruto said his administration was committed to ending what he described as the politics of hatred, insults and tribalism.
“I told you we will end that old politics of hatred, insults and tribalism. Every part of Kenya will get development because that is the order from the constitution,” he said.
President mocks opposition slogan
Ruto also mocked opposition campaign rhetoric directed at his administration, saying that the opposition’s biggest achievement so far had been giving him the nickname “Kasongo.”
“These are people of blogs, insults, and tribalism. They will come here and say wantam, Kasongo, must go. Aren’t these people stupid? The biggest work they have done is to give me a name, Kasongo. They do not have any plans, agenda, or manifesto,” he said.
The President further criticised opposition leaders for promising to reverse some of his administration’s policies without presenting alternatives.
Ruto defends SHA
Ruto singled out the Social Health Authority (SHA), challenging opposition politicians who have called for a return to the former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).
“You are telling us to leave SHA and go back to NHIF. I want to ask you: you are telling us to go back to NHIF, which catered for few people, eight million people, and leave SHA of 32 million Kenyans?” he posed.
He also defended the government’s approach to accessing healthcare benefits through SHA.
“You are telling us to go back to NHIF where, if you pay premiums now, you wait for three months to get benefits. This one of SHA, if you pay, you get services immediately. You are telling us you want to abolish SHA but you don’t have an alternative.”
Ruto banks on UDA-ODM partnership
The President said the emerging political partnership between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) would strengthen his prospects in the 2027 General Election.
He pointed to Narok as an example of how the political realignment could affect voting patterns.
“Here in Narok, we were fighting with Raila Odinga. He used to get half and I get half. But in 2027, you have information that we have united ODM and UDA and it is now broad-based. Will the votes in Narok now be 100 per cent?” he asked.
Ruto said his development record, combined with the broad-based political arrangement, would give him a strong advantage in the 2027 election.
Ruto highlights Narok development projects
During the tour, the President highlighted infrastructure and energy projects that his administration says will improve connectivity and economic activity in Narok.
Ruto launched construction of the 59-kilometre Enengetia-Olposimoru Road, which will connect Eneng’etia, Olokurto, Enkuseru, Olposimoru and Kiptenden.
He also cited several other road projects across the county.
The Ngoswani-Naikarra-Morijo Road is under construction, with 30 kilometres already completed, while construction of the Ololung’a-Ewaso Ng’iro Road is ongoing.
The Ololung’a-Sogoo-Saptet-Mulot Road is nearly 60 per cent complete, according to the President.
In Narok East, construction is also underway on the 40-kilometre Suswa-Inkorionito-Naiekia-Enkare Road.
Ruto further said Narok Airport would be ready within the next few months.
His administration is also investing Sh2.8 billion in last-mile electricity connectivity across the county.
2027 political battle intensifies
Ruto’s remarks come as political activity continues to intensify ahead of the 2027 General Election.
While the President insists his current nationwide tours are development-focused, his criticism of opposition leaders and references to the next election demonstrate the increasingly political nature of the contest.
The opposition, meanwhile, continues to work on possible alliances and a strategy to challenge Ruto’s re-election bid.
For now, Ruto maintains that he has not officially started campaigning.
But his warning to his rivals is clear: once the campaign begins, he expects the opposition to face a much tougher political battle.
