President William Ruto has challenged Siaya leaders to support his administration’s development programmes, accusing former President Uhuru Kenyatta of using local leaders to oppose government projects.
Ruto said the people of Siaya elected their governor to serve their interests and not to advance the political agenda of a retired president.
The President, who spoke during a development tour of Siaya County on Tuesday, said Uhuru should have embraced the role of a statesman after leaving office instead of engaging in opposition politics.
“I wonder how a person who has been President of Kenya and retired, instead of being a statesman, goes on to become a rebel leader and opposition leader. This is a shame,” Ruto said.
He also dismissed the prospect of Kenyatta defeating him politically, arguing that the former President failed to defeat him in the 2022 General Election.
Ruto urged Kenyans to scrutinise political leaders based on their development record, policies and vision rather than their political titles or past positions.
“Let’s not gamble. Let’s not play trial and error with our nation by electing individuals who have no track record, agenda, plan or vision,” he said.
The President said the broad-based government, bringing together the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) and other Kenya Kwanza partners, would win the 2027 election by a wide margin based on its development record.
“The broad-based political team is the only political formation with the capacity to unite our nation. It is the only formation with a proven track record, a credible vision for the future and a practical plan to address the challenges facing our country,” Ruto said.
He described some opposition formations as personality-driven movements and briefcase parties, saying they lacked a credible national agenda. “Our nation is too important to be left in the hands of leaders without a plan, an agenda or a vision,” he said.
Ruto's political message was accompanied by announcements and launches of several infrastructure projects in Siaya. He launched construction of the 31.8-kilometre Kalandini-Ka Elija road in Rarieda Constituency at a cost of Sh1.9 billion. The project is expected to improve movement of people and goods while supporting agriculture, fishing and trade around Lake Victoria.
The President also announced that construction of the long-awaited 500-kilometre Lake Victoria Ring Road will begin in November 2026.
“The road will run from Busia to Muhuru Bay in Migori County, through Siaya, Kisumu and Homa Bay counties,” he said. Ruto said the government was investing Sh32 billion to construct 400 kilometres of new roads in Siaya County.
He also announced plans to tarmac the Bondo-Usenge-Osieko road while inspecting works on Dhogoye Bridge in Bondo Constituency.
The President said Sh10 billion had been allocated to boost the blue economy in the region through initiatives including fingerling research at Kabonyo, ferry services, four piers and rescue centres along Lake Victoria. Another Sh1.5 billion is being invested in nine fish landing sites.
“We are closing the yawning infrastructure gap in Siaya County and across the wider Nyanza region through deliberate and sustained investment in roads, water, energy and other critical infrastructure,” Ruto said.
He further said the government was investing Sh28 billion in Siaya to construct 10,000 affordable housing units, 20 modern markets and student hostels with capacity for 8,000 students.
Under the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity programme, 21,000 households will be connected to electricity at a cost of Sh2.8 billion. Rarieda MP Otiende Omolo said the region had recorded development since leaders joined the broad-based government.
“The Government of President Ruto is committed to addressing the challenges facing all Kenyans, including those who have been marginalised by previous regimes,” Omolo said.