Ruto hits out at opposition, defends bottom-up agenda
Politics
By
Irissheel Shanzu
| Oct 14, 2026
President William Ruto has accused the opposition of peddling anger, ethnic divisions and jealousy instead of offering Kenyans an alternative development agenda.
Speaking during his inspection of the Kapsait-Sondany Road and the launch of the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity project in Pokot South Constituency, West Pokot County, on Wednesday, the President said Kenyans elected his administration because it had a clear plan to transform the country.
He said his government was focused on delivering development projects in housing, healthcare, infrastructure and education, adding that Kenyans would ultimately judge his administration based on its development record.
“The people of Kenya voted for this government because we had a plan for the country. Today, Kenyans are holding us accountable on housing, health, infrastructure and education because they know we have a plan,” he said.
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Ruto maintained that the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda was changing the country, accusing the opposition of relying on ethnic mobilisation, name-calling and political divisions rather than presenting practical solutions to the challenges facing Kenyans.
He challenged his critics to explain what they would have done differently, arguing that the projects they had failed to implement were now being undertaken by his administration.
“You are very useless. You were allowed to implement these projects, but you failed, and we have done them. You are selling anger and tribal arithmetic, things that will not change the destiny of our nation,” he said.
The President said the political contest between his administration and the opposition was a contrast between competing visions for the country, insisting that his government would not apologise for pursuing its development agenda.
He expressed confidence that Kenyans would support his administration based on its development record and plans for the future rather than ethnic loyalties.
Ruto also criticised opposition leaders, describing them as lacking a clear vision and accusing them of failing to articulate an alternative development programme.
“They are a clueless, visionless sponsored opposition. They have launched an empty party, and after launching it, they spend their time drinking alcohol. The party is stuck at the bar. They have no agenda, and they are asking Kenyans to fund them,” he said.
The President further urged Kenyans to reject leaders he accused of engaging in alcohol consumption and relying on financial sponsors instead of presenting policies that would improve people's lives.
He claimed that a political rival who had opposed him and lost in the political contest was now sponsoring the opposition to frustrate his administration.
“The person sponsoring them does not know what is going on. He is angry with me because he opposed me and I defeated him. Now he has decided to hire the opposition,” Ruto said.
The President's remarks come amid growing political contestation over the performance of his administration and the opposition's efforts to position itself as an alternative ahead of the next General Election.