Ruto takes re-election pitch to Eldoret home turf, defends UDA-ODM pact

By  Nation Team

Nation Media Group

President William Ruto took his re-election campaign to his political stronghold of Eldoret city, while defending the broad-based government arrangement between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and his track record ahead of the 2027 General Election.

President Ruto said the political partnership between UDA and ODM had united Kenyans across the political divide and accelerated equitable resource distribution and development across the country.

“As I stand here in my home city of Eldoret, I can account for my 2022 pre-election promises and how they have helped transform the country. I have fixed the ailing economy by lowering inflation rates and the cost of living,” said Dr Ruto, expressing confidence that he would win the 2027 General Election by a landslide.

He said he was ready to account for the Kenya Kwanza manifesto and explain to Kenyans how it had translated his 2022 campaign pledges into tangible development projects.

“Today, I can account for the fact that the agriculture sector has been transformed into a profitable investment, generating money for households and helping to attain food security. Farmers are now earning better returns from coffee, tea, sugarcane and dairy. There is no sector in our economy that is lagging behind,” said Dr Ruto.

Dr Ruto, who returned to Eldoret city, the heart of his political base, used the opportunity to reinforce his authority in the North Rift as political realignments take shape ahead of next year’s General Election.

“Our partnership with ODM is now uniting Kenyans and accelerating development across the country, and I urge you to vote with consciousness and elect leaders who can account for their promises, manifestos and agendas,” said Dr Ruto, signalling a shift in his political messaging towards development during his first four years in office.

President Ruto, who was accompanied by senior ODM leaders, including party chairperson Gladys Wanga, Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati and Cabinet Secretaries Hassan Joho (Mining and Blue Economy) and Opiyo Wandayi (Energy), said his development record and the UDA-ODM relationship would work in his favour in the 2027 General Election.

While addressing a mammoth crowd along the busy Eldoret-Uganda highway, Dr Ruto popularised the new UDA slogan, “Usawa ni Sawa”, and ODM’s “Tuko Tayari”, emphasising unity and readiness to propel the country’s socioeconomic development.

“When I say, ‘UDA’, reply, ‘Usawa ni Sawa’; and ODM, you say, ‘Tuko Tayari’,” said President Ruto, referring to how the partnership between the two parties would reshape the outcome of the 2027 General Election.

He defended investment in the housing sector, saying it had created one million jobs for young people and provided 300,000 housing units.

He said his administration had created 300,000 jobs in the digital economy and 680,000 jobs through the Overseas Kazi Majuu scheme, besides increasing investment in other sectors of the economy.

“I can account for what I promised Kenyans in 2022 through what I have done to transform agriculture, housing, health, road infrastructure and many more. We want to change the politics of this country through equity and development, not politics of insults and manipulation.”

He dismissed his political opponents as lacking an agenda and manifesto and urged voters not to gamble with their votes, but to re-elect him for a second term to enable him to complete other projects.

Mr Joho defended the UDA-ODM coalition, noting that the Coast region was backing President Ruto’s re-election.

“The country has now realised equity in resource allocation, and marginalised regions are witnessing development. That is why we want Dr Ruto to secure another term in office,” said Mr Joho.

ODM Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati called on eligible voters to register and participate in next year’s General Election to choose competent leaders who could steer the country’s growth and development.

“As ODM, we are firmly united behind Dr Ruto because of his track record,” said Mr Arati.

National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed rallied ODM and UDA supporters to remain united, vote for President Ruto and help him fulfil the pact he entered into with the late Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

“As ODM, we will not pull out of the broad-based government, and we are out to ensure that President Ruto is re-elected to fulfil the late Raila Odinga’s wishes,” said Mr Mohamed.

ODM chairperson Gladys Wanga said the engagement between UDA and ODM had helped keep the country united and advance development.

“As ODM, we will not betray the agreement entered into between President Ruto and the late Raila, who asked us to remain united and support the current President,” said Ms Wanga.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula urged Kenyans to remain united and resist being drawn into tribal and divisive politics.

National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah criticised unnamed politicians from Central Kenya for driving a wedge between the Kikuyu community and other Kenyans by propagating tribal politics.

President Ruto, who is on a 10-day development tour of his political backyard in the North Rift region, launched various development projects ahead of Mashujaa Day celebrations next Tuesday at Kipchoge Keino Stadium.

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- Reported by Barnabas Bii, Ezrah Nanjendo and Emmanuel Ashindu