President William Ruto addresses residents of Mathare Constituency in Nairobi during his tour of the city on March 11, 2025.
President William Ruto’s concluded five-day tour of Nairobi has set the tone for his 2027 re-election campaigns even as his likely opponents are still rallying for a united front in their quest to make him a one-term Head of State.
The capital city tour coming just three days after a major political boost for President Ruto following the signing of Memorandum of Understanding with former Prime Minister Raila Odinga is a clear indication that the man is on an early mission to retain his seat by rallying for support from constituencies that have traditionally sided with the opposition.
The tour which saw ODM elected leaders, apart from Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Embakasi East MP Babu Owino, accompany President Ruto in a series of rallies also set the tone for other major contests in the city, including for the governor as key players begin to align themselves with various formations.
President Ruto has been accused by his critics of embarking on early campaigns when little was being done for his administration to deliver on his 2022 pre-election promises.
“There are people complaining that I have already started campaigns, let them hold their horses, it is not yet time. When we will finally hit the campaign trail, they will take off,” President Ruto said in Bumala, Busia County in January
So far the President has visited counties in western regions, including Kakamega, Bungoma, Busia, Vihiga and Trans Nzoia. In Nyanza, the President has been to Kisumu, Homa Bay, Kisii and Siaya. He has also visited Machakos and Makueni.
In his Rift Valley backyard, President Ruto has visited Bomet, Turkana, Uasin Gishu, Samburu, Laikipia, Kericho Kajiado, Baringo, Narok, Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru. In the North Eastern region, the President has been to Mandera, Garissa, Isiolo and Wajir.
However, while the President has been busy crisscrossing the country to solidify his grip, his likely competitors at the ballot are yet to find their footing and a clear roadmap on how to take on him and make him a one term President.
Although the polls are still two years away and one may argue that the opposition still have time to put their House in order, the same arguments that were advanced in the run up to the 2022 polls when Dr Ruto then DP had a field day campaigning as opposition was still haggling on their flag bearer.
President William Ruto addresses residents of Kawangware in Dagoretti, Nairobi County.
By the time the polls were drawing closer, he had covered so much ground and the opposition had to play catch up.
Impeached Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua however says there is nothing to worry about Ruto's early campaign take off.
During the launch of Martha Karua’s party last month, Mr Gachagua said the many tours the president has made across the country will mean nothing when they finally hit the road.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki addresses residents of Mathare Constituency in Nairobi during President William Ruto's tour on March 11, 2025.
“We know him, don’t worry. The day we will start climbing on the vehicle rooftops as he is doing, we will dismantle him, we will disclose well to an extent that people will start running away from him,” Mr Gachagua said.
Makueni Senator Dan Maanzo told the Nation that the naming of the opposition flag bearer is something that they will not be in a hurry to do, saying they already know their line-up.
“The opposition belongs to the people, it’s not about personality. Whoever we will agree on will send Ruto home in the morning. So long as we just agree on one person, Ruto will go home,” Mr Maanzo said.
“The President is behaving as if he owns Kenyans, he doesn’t know he is a property of Kenyans who can do anything with him. If I were him, I would settle down and work for Kenyans because he has done nothing,” he added.
Gatanga MP Edward Muriu questioned why the President needs to engage in early campaigns if he thinks he is popular saying the opposition job has been made easy because the people have already rejected President Ruto.
“Why Continue making promises while the verdict is there that you are a liar? As seen from the hired crowds, the citizens have unanimously agreed that anybody leased as President but not Ruto,” Mr Muriu said.
President William Ruto interacts with Community Health Promoters after commissioning Mathare Deport Dispensary on March 11, 2025.
Mr Muriu dismissed Ruto’s Nairobi tour saying it caused the people more misery due to the looting of businesses that was witnessed.
“It's all clear the crowds were facilitated to come out. The indifference was real. Thugs were given a chance to cause havoc on innocent citizens to pay themselves,” Mr Muriu said.
“Not to mention death and economic misery his trip left in its wake. The silver lining in the dark cloud, he came out with a brand new title-El Chapo,” added the lawmaker.
However, political analyst Frankline Kubendo defended the President saying he is not engaged in early campaigns but a meet-the people tour to highlight his development plans.
“It is others who think it is a campaign for the President, it is the moment to go to the ground to check the development projects and where nothing has happened, give directions on what to be done in order to help the people,” Mr Kubendo said.
Similar views were shared by Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja, an ally of President Ruto and a key player in the tour of the city, who said people should focus on the projects launched during the trip.
Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja serves President William Ruto lunch at Toi Primary School under the Dishi Na County programme.
He said that they would not be derailed by their detractors, whom he accused of being pre-occupied with 2027 polls.
His Dishi na County school feeding program, now serving 316,000 learners in 230 public schools across all 17 sub-counties, received President Ruto’s endorsement.
The leaders also inaugurated the Zawadi Comprehensive School Central Kitchen, where Ruto approved a chapati-making machine.
Other key projects included a Sh500 million investment to rebuild Toi Market, the groundbreaking of Riruta Modern Market, and the expansion of Ayany Primary School with a pledge by President Ruto for 10 new classrooms.
Additionally, the Umoja Sewerage System was launched as part of Nairobi’s broader water and sewerage program. The initiative aims to rehabilitate 260 kilometers of sewer lines in areas such as Umoja, Kayole, and Donholm.
While Sakaja framed the tour as development-focused, analysts noted it could shape Nairobi’s political landscape ahead of 2027 elections.
The absence of Mr Owino, who has declared interest in running against Governor Sakaja was linked to Mr Odinga’s close relationship with incumbent, a member of President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
During its National Executive Council meeting held in January, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka faulted the President for embarking on premature 2027 campaigns disguised as a unity drive.
“Ruto should desist from moving around the country carrying out early campaigns yet citizens entrusted him with a responsibility which he has now proven that it is beyond his capability. He should be ready to go home in 2027 for failing Kenyans,” he said.
Plotting to make Dr Ruto a one term President include People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, impeached Deputy President Gachagua, Wiper leader Musyoka and Democratic Action Party-Kenya (DAP-K) leader Eugene Wamalwa have vowed to stick together until 2027.
The name of former Interior CS Fred Matiang’i is also being whispered in the corridors of politics that he will be going for the top seat in 2027 and will be backed by Uhuru Kenyatta led party Jubilee.
Additional reporting by Moses Nyamori
