The opposition has come under renewed attack from leaders backing President William Ruto, who say those seeking to challenge the government have yet to show Kenyans how they would improve key sectors of the economy and public services.
The leaders in the broad-based government used separate visits to parts of Nyanza, Western and Meru to defend Ruto’s record while drumming up support for his re-election. They pointed to changes in agriculture, health, electricity and the sugar industry as areas where they said the government was making progress.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki led the criticism of the opposition during a meeting with UDA polling centre officials at Kinoru Stadium in Meru.
Kindiki spoke about the government’s work in agriculture and other sectors before turning his attention to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, whom he accused of lacking political maturity.
He challenged the opposition to explain what it would do to increase agricultural production, improve healthcare and bring new ideas to the housing and markets sectors.
“Mtaongeza mazao ya kilimo namna gani? Mtaongeza mambo ya matibabu na njia gani? Ni nini mpya mtaleta katika sekta ya manyumba na masoko? That is the adult conversation we want to have,” said the DP.
The Deputy President also called for political maturity as government leaders continued their push for support ahead of the next election.
Homa Bay Governor Gladys Wanga was equally dismissive of the opposition’s chances, saying she had examined the numbers and found no clear path for it to defeat the broad-based government.
“I have looked at all the arithmetic. They have no formula. They have no leadership. Hakuna njia yoyote ambayo watashinda hii timu yetu ya broad based,” said Wanga.
In Western Kenya, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi used an electricity project in Matayos to make a case for unity between Western and Nyanza.
Wandayi was overseeing the last-mile connection project being implemented by the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation (REREC), where he praised the benefits of linking more communities to the national power grid.
He also urged voters from the two regions to combine their political strength and support Ruto.
“Tuungane, tuweke kura zetu about 7 million plus. 7 million plus ziwe katika kikapu kimoja cha mheshimiwa Rais William Ruto. Tukiungana tutakuwa na sauti kubwa zaidi. Tukiungana tutakuwa na nguvu zaidi,” said Wandayi.
National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula also appealed for unity, saying political cooperation would help the region gain recognition and influence.
“Tuwe kitu kimoja, tupendane ndio kisiasa Kenya hii tuweze kuonekana, kutambulika na kuheshimiwa,” he said.
The campaign message then shifted to the sugar sector in Vihiga and Bungoma, where leaders praised the revival of sugar factories and backed measures aimed at keeping imported sugar out of the local market.
The leaders said stopping sugar imports would help local farmers, particularly those supplying cane to Nzoia, benefit from their produce.
Navakhalo MP Emmanuel Wangwe made a direct appeal for imported sugar to be kept away from the Kenyan market.
“Hiyo sukari isiingie humu nchini tafadhali muifungie ili upeleke miwa ya Nzoia na wakulima wafaidike,” said Wangwe.
Farouk Kibet, an aide to President Ruto, also supported the position, saying people from Western Kenya and other parts of the country had rejected the idea of bringing sugar from outside.
“Mambo ya kuleta sukari kutoka nje watu ya Magharibi na watu ya Kenya wamekataa. Wangapi wanasema mambo ya sukari isifike Kenya?” said Kibet.
The leaders were on a wider tour covering Busia, Bungoma, Vihiga, Migori and Meru counties, using the engagements to highlight government projects while seeking political support for Ruto.
Their meetings combined praise for government programmes with sharp criticism of the opposition, as they pushed the message that greater unity between Western and Nyanza would give the regions a stronger political voice.
The leaders also sought to link the government’s political case to its work in agriculture, health, electricity and sugar production, while challenging those opposed to Ruto to explain their own plans for the country.