President William Ruto has challenged political formations seeking to unseat his administration in 2027 to prove they have the numbers, unity and capacity to form and run a government, as he defended his broad-based arrangement as the best path for Kenya.
Speaking in Bondo Constituency, Siaya County, on Tuesday while inspecting the Sh1.9 billion Dhogoye Bridge, Ruto said bringing different political sides together had allowed his administration to concentrate on development instead of prolonged political battles.
He said Kenyans should judge the broad-based government by the projects and services being delivered across the country rather than by the political differences that previously separated the parties now working together.
“The broad-based government is the most viable political path for Kenya because it has enabled us to bring people together and focus on development. We are not interested in politics that divides Kenyans. We are interested in a government that works for the people and delivers projects across the country.”
The arrangement followed a cooperation agreement between the Kenya Kwanza administration and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which was formalised in March 2025.
The agreement, presented by Ruto and the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga as a framework for cooperation, brought together leaders who had previously been on opposing sides of the political divide.
Ruto said the partnership was part of efforts to bring different sections of the country together and allow the government to focus on issues affecting Kenyans.
He also turned his attention to those preparing to challenge his administration in the 2027 General Election, asking whether they can build a broad enough coalition to win and govern.
“Those who are saying that they are going to form another government, do they have the numbers? Are they united? Do they have the capacity to lead this country? Kenyans must look at what we have been able to do and compare that with what those who want to take over are offering.”
The President's argument comes against the backdrop of the closely fought 2022 presidential election, when he defeated Raila by 233,211 votes.
According to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission, Ruto received 7,176,141 votes, representing 50.49 percent, against Raila's 6,942,930 votes, or 48.85 percent. He also secured at least 25 percent of the vote in 39 counties, above the constitutional requirement of 24 counties.
The results highlighted the importance of building support across different parts of the country in a presidential contest.
Ruto said his administration had deliberately chosen cooperation instead of political confrontation, arguing that development could not be achieved if the country remained divided into political camps.
“We have chosen to work together because Kenya belongs to all of us. We cannot develop this country if we are permanently divided into political camps.”
The broad-based government has also changed the traditional relationship between the government and opposition, with ODM's participation in the administration creating new political alliances and fresh differences ahead of the 2027 contest.
As parties position themselves for the next election, Ruto's defence of the arrangement places its development record, political numbers and ability to hold together a broad coalition at the centre of the emerging political contest.