In a strong pushback against growing unease within his coalition, President William Ruto on Sunday declared that his broad-based political partnership with Raila Odinga's ODM is firm and here to stay.
Speaking during a church service and fundraiser at St Stephen's ACK Church in Moiben, Uasin Gishu County, the President sought to reassure his traditional allies that the inclusion of ODM leaders in government should not be a source of anxiety.
“ODM members are Kenyans. This government is big enough for all of us and no one should be bitter about their presence,” President Ruto said in remarks widely seen as an attempt to steady his broad-based coalition amid growing succession politics.
His comments come amid heightened jostling within the alliance over the 2027 elections, with leaders from ODM and the Western region increasingly being mentioned as possible contenders for the deputy president's position.
The remarks also follow Deputy President Kithure Kindiki's recent declaration that the Ruto-Kindiki ticket for 2027 is non-negotiable.
“We are not leaving this government. (Wycliffe) Oparanya and his team have joined us and we have welcomed them, but we are not leaving,” Prof Kindiki said last week.
The Deputy President has repeatedly warned politicians against using the deputy president's office as a bargaining chip, insisting those angling for the position should instead focus on supporting President Ruto's re-election.
While avoiding direct reference to the growing contest over his running mate, President Ruto instead defended his proposed Vision 2060 development blueprint and called for a broad-based national dialogue beginning on August 12.
He said Vision 2060 would align Kenya's long-term development agenda with the 2010 Constitution, updating Vision 2030, which was formulated before the promulgation of the current Constitution.
“Vision 2030 was crafted before the 2010 Constitution. Vision 2060 will anchor our development directly within the supreme law of the land. Our mission to make Kenya a prosperous nation is unstoppable,” he said, while accusing some of his political opponents of promoting tribalism, hatred and insults instead of ideas.
The President also addressed the prolonged dry spell that has devastated crops across the North Rift, revealing that he had personally suffered losses on his own farm.
“I am a farmer, and I have also lost crops because of this drought. As a government, we will support farmers with early-maturing seed varieties and other inputs so they can take advantage of the next rains and safeguard the country's food security,” he said.
He added that the government was working with stakeholders to lower the cost of farm inputs ahead of the next planting season.
As a long-term measure to address drought and increase food production in the country, President Ruto pointed out that the Government has an elaborate plan for water harvesting and water storage using the recently established National Infrastructure Fund.
“This entails the construction of 50 mega dams, 200 medium and 1,000 micro dams to expand irrigation farming, especially in the arid and semi-arid areas,” the President explained.
The church service, attended by senior UDA and ODM leaders, quickly took on the atmosphere of an early campaign rally as more than 10 MPs from the North Rift openly endorsed President Ruto's 2027 re-election bid.
In a light-hearted moment, the President urged the legislators to prioritise the Gospel over politics.
“Before you preach about my second term, first preach about the second coming of Jesus Christ,” he joked.
Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen used the event to launch a fresh attack on former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, accusing him of spreading falsehoods on national security.
“Gachagua is a liar masquerading as someone with intelligence reports. He is a political conman with no manifesto to offer Kenyans,” Mr Murkomen said, urging politicians to keep security matters out of partisan politics.
Moiben MP Phyllis Bartoo reaffirmed the region's support for the broad-based administration and President Ruto's development agenda.
Also present were Ainabkoi MP Samuel Chepkonga, Soy MP David Kiplagat, Turbo MP Janet Sitienei, Kesses MP Julius Rutto, Marakwet West MP Timothy Kipchumba, Keiyo North MP Adams Kipsanai, Nandi Hills MP Bernard Kitur, nominated MP Joseph Wainaina and Caroline Ng'elechei, among other leaders.
During the fundraiser, leaders raised more than Sh50 million for the development of St Stephen's, St Peter's and St Mark's ACK churches, with President Ruto making a personal contribution of Sh25 million.
