President William Ruto took his re-election campaign to his North Rift stronghold on Monday, challenging supporters to deliver an additional one million votes in 2027 while intensifying attacks on former President Uhuru Kenyatta .
Dr Ruto accused Mr Kenyatta of betraying an alleged succession understanding under which they would each serve for 10 years. They served as president and deputy president from 2013 to 2022, but their relationship deteriorated during Mr Kenyatta’s second term, when he backed Raila Odinga in the 2022 election instead of his deputy.
“I backed your presidency in the 2013 and 2017 General Elections and you even declared that you would serve for 10 years and support me for another 10 years during my term, but you conned me. You are the most ungrateful and deceitful character I have ever met. How dare you oppose me after I supported you all those years?” Dr Ruto said.
During visits to Uasin Gishu and Nandi, Dr Ruto linked project launches and inspections to his re-election campaign, saying his Rift Valley stronghold should deliver more votes in 2027.
At a stopover in Kaptumo, Nandi County, he rallied supporters around “Usawa ni Sawa”, alongside the United Democratic Alliance’s (UDA) familiar “Kazi ni Kazi ” message.
“When I say UDA, you reply, ‘Usawa ni Sawa’ . When I say ‘Usawa ni Sawa’ , you reply, ‘Mbele Pamoja’,” he told the crowd.
The emphasis on equality comes as Dr Ruto seeks to turn his administration’s development agenda into a political advantage. His fallout with former deputy Rigathi Gachagua has reshaped alliances, while competition for support in Mount Kenya and other regions has complicated the arithmetic of his political re-election bid nationally.
In Nandi, Dr Ruto asked residents to secure him an additional one million votes in 2027.
“The presidential seat is won through votes and as my people, I don’t want you to let me down. I need additional one million votes from you,” he said, urging eligible residents to acquire national identity cards and register as voters.
“We have lived up to our promises and delivered in almost all sectors to boost the livelihood of Kenyans and we are ready for the general elections. Our track record performance speaks volumes and we are ready to face our competitors who lack manifesto and clear plan for Kenyans apart from spreading tribal and divisive politics,” he said.
President William Ruto flags off trucks with electricity transmission poles during the launch of last mile connectivity at Moiben Campus in Uasin Gishu County on October 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
At the commissioning of Moiben Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) College in Uasin Gishu, he dismissed the opposition’s chances, saying its members would not defeat him even if they united.
“My competitors have no substance whether they unite or not, I have put in place mechanisms to thrash them in the next general election,” he said.
His remarks came as opposition leaders sought to build a common front ahead of 2027. Dr Ruto defended the broad-based arrangement between Kenya Kwanza and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), saying the partnership would remain central to his political strategy beyond the next election.
“The broad-based government with our ODM partners is here to stay and will go beyond 2027. It is the only way to ensure equitability among all Kenyans, and 2027 will be the culmination of uniting the country,” he said.
The President backed his political message with project announcements in roads, electricity, housing and technical education.
In Nandi, he announced Sh20 billion for 350 kilometres of roads. In Tindiret, he launched construction of the 17-kilometre Labuiywo-Kitechegaa/Kapkoros-Koisagat road, valued at Sh1.3 billion. He also announced plans to tarmac 6,000 kilometres of roads nationally, saying the programme would improve connectivity and spread development.
In Aldai, Dr Ruto flagged off a Sh2.5 billion last-mile electricity project targeting 23,000 households by May next year.
He announced Sh18 billion for 3,500 affordable housing units in Nandi, alongside plans to construct 6,000 hostels and 15 new markets. In Kaptumo, he launched the Sh280 million Kaptumo Modern Market.
At Moiben TVET College, he announced an immediate allocation of Sh500 million for hostels and other infrastructure to accommodate more than 1,000 students. He directed Principal Secretary Charles Hinga to ensure the funds were released without delay.
But the political appeal of development also depends on what households earn. In Nandi’s tea-growing areas, farmers affiliated with Chebut and Kaptumo tea factories received a bonus of Sh12.50 per kilogramme this season, raising questions about small-scale growers’ earnings even as the government highlights its support for agriculture.
Dr Ruto urged farmers to elect competent factory directors, arguing that management decisions influence bonuses.
President William Ruto addresses members of the public at Kenya School of TVET, Technical and Vocational Education and Training Moiben Campus in Uasin Gishu County on October 12, 2026.
Photo credit: Jared Nyataya | Nation Media Group
He said the government had released Sh850 million to small-scale tea farmers in the region to stabilise their operations.
The President cited fertiliser price reductions to Sh2,000 and a halving of maize seed prices, alongside increases in farm-gate prices. He said milk prices had risen from Sh50 to Sh70 per litre, coffee from Sh70 to Sh150, and tea to Sh56 per kilogramme.
The Sh12.50 bonus paid by the two factories highlights the gap between claims of improved farm-gate prices and the returns individual growers receive. For farmers, their factories’ performance remains a direct measure of the benefits they derive from tea.
Dr Ruto also defended the Social Health Authority (SHA), describing it as an equaliser in healthcare access compared with the former National Hospital Insurance Fund.
He said 6,030 people in Nandi, representing 72 per cent according to his figures, had registered with SHA and urged other eligible residents to enrol. He also said Sh2.2 billion had been paid to public health facilities and Level Four and Level Five hospitals in the county under the scheme.
The tour exposed local political rivalries as leaders positioned themselves ahead of 2027 in the region. Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago cautioned politicians against using the President’s visit to settle scores or humiliate opponents. Governor Jonathan Bii called for unity while demanding respect for his office as county host. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said Mr Kenyatta should allow the current administration to govern, while Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen urged Dr Ruto to concentrate on development and national unity.
Reporting by Barnabas Bii, Titus Ominde, Emmanuel Ashindu and Ezra Bushuru.
