'Angry sponsor': Ruto warns opposition against being used to settle scores

President William Ruto has warned the opposition against being used by individuals he described as “political sponsors”, predicting that the broad-based government would win the 2027 General Election by a wider margin.

The President, who appeared to target his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta, accused his former boss of failing to deliver on universal health coverage, housing, water and education during his tenure.

Dr Ruto said his administration had made progress in addressing challenges left behind by the previous government, with the support of Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) leaders in the broad-based arrangement.

“The one who hired them failed with Universal Health Coverage, meaning he is angry because now Universal Health Coverage is ongoing. The one who hired them is angry because housing, which he failed at, today housing is ongoing in our nation of Kenya,” he said.

Dr Ruto accused the opposition of being recruited into a campaign of hatred and envy, and alleged that Mr Kenyatta was mobilising people against his administration.

“I want to tell you people of ‘Linda Sponsor’: You are being recruited to a game of hatred, you are being recruited to a game of envy because the one who failed to run Kenya has now gone there and is gathering people. He is the one planning all these things,” he said.

The President expressed confidence that the broad-based government would win the next election resoundingly.

“We defeated them that day, in 2027 we will defeat them again by a bigger margin!”

He said his administration had a vision of taking Kenya to first-world status, contrasting it with rival political formations that he described as personality-driven or based on ethnic mobilisation.

“We are the only formation that has a vision for Kenya into the future to take our nation to a first world status. Our competitors are either personality cults, or they are tribal political parties, or they are makeshift tribal formations that have no agenda for our nation,” Dr Ruto said.

He urged Kenyans not to entrust the country’s future to leaders he said lacked plans and a vision.

“Let us not gamble with the future of our nation with people who are clueless, with people who are planless, with people who are visionless.”

Dr Ruto said the 2027 election would provide an opportunity to unite Kenyans and eliminate tribalism, hatred and discrimination.

In Migori, President Ruto pledged Sh124 million to repair a vital bridge linking Suna East and Suna West, while calling on residents not to destroy the infrastructure during protests.

The bridge over River Migori was closed by the Kenya National Highways Authority (Kenha) in February after part of it was swept away by raging floods.

The bridge serves motorists travelling to Sirare and onward to Tanzania. With the route closed, drivers have been forced to divert through Ombo and Namba before rejoining the main road, a detour they say consumes more fuel.

Residents have staged protests at the site, accusing the national government of delaying repairs. During previous demonstrations, protesters would move onto the road and place boulders on the bridge to block motorists, with some going as far as welding metal rods onto the barriers.

Dr Ruto said the government had completed the procurement process and identified a contractor for the repairs.

“I am aware that you have a challenge because the bridge collapsed. We have already set aside Sh124 million for the project. Procurement is done and the contractor is on site,” the Head of State said.

He said the repair work should be completed by next year. He spoke when he launched the construction of the Posta - Nyirongi Road in Suna East.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed admitted that he had previously encouraged residents to burn the bridge during protests.

“We have been leading residents in setting fire on the bridge. I would tell people to go and set fire on the bridge when our issues are not addressed,” said the Suna East MP, who referred to himself as the kingpin in the region.

Mr Mohamed said he had a huge following, with residents often heeding his calls, but added that they would now support the broad-based government and shun protests.

“We will continue supporting broad-based and will not take part in protests,” he said.

President Ruto, in turn, sought an assurance from residents that the bridge would not be destroyed once repaired. “This time it should be built and no one should damage it. After repairing it, I should be assured that it will not be damaged.” 

The President also announced several development projects for Migori, including the construction of a road network in the town. He directed the contractor undertaking the five-kilometre road project to complete the work within three months.

He further announced plans to expand Lichota Airstrip to accommodate larger aircraft.

“Migori Airstrip will have an expanded runway to accommodate larger flights. I also promised to build a stadium and the contractor was told to finish the project by next year,” Dr Ruto said.

The Head of State said Migori town should be transformed to look like a city, acknowledging its perennial sewage and water challenges.

“I have procured Sh700 million to upgrade the town to city status,” he said.

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