President William Ruto has renewed his attack on retired President Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of working with opposition leaders to frustrate his administration and calling on him to stay away from active politics.
Ruto said Kenyatta's continued involvement in opposition activities was unbecoming of a former Head of State, arguing that retired presidents should use their experience to advise the country rather than undermine the government.
The President made the remarks on Thursday while addressing residents at Sindo in Suba South Constituency during the last day of his development tour of Homa Bay County.
He accused Uhuru of allegedly supporting efforts to derail government programmes while claiming that his administration had made progress in areas where he said his predecessor had failed.
Ruto said he had supported Kenyatta in four elections, including the 2002, 2013 and 2017 elections, but maintained that he was not looking for his political backing.
He said the economy he inherited from Uhuru was in poor condition but argued that his government had since stabilised it.
"You left the economy in tatters, but we have stabilised it," the President said.
Ruto also pointed to affordable housing, roads, healthcare and education as areas where he accused the previous administration of failing to deliver.
"The housing programme that you failed to implement now has 300,000 units under construction and it is employing 1.1 million Kenyans. We are building 600 modern markets and 180,000 student hostels in our universities, technical colleges and Kenya Medical Training College, things he failed to deliver," he said.
The President questioned Uhuru's decision to remain engaged in opposition politics after completing his presidency, saying the former Head of State should instead help guide the country.
"My brother Uhuru Kenyatta, you are lowering the dignity of the Office of the Retired President and your own dignity," the President said.
Ruto accused Kenyatta of frustrating his administration for four years and alleged that he was unhappy with the transformation agenda being pursued by the government.
"What you are doing with opposition leaders, including those in Linda Nothing, is wrong. The country is bigger than any individual, including yourself," the President told Kenyatta.
He also used the Homa Bay tour to address the 2027 General Election, warning against the return of ethnic politics and discrimination.
Ruto said Kenyans were looking for leaders with plans to transform the country and insisted that tribal mobilisation would not determine the next election.
"We are going to ashame those who perpetuate the politics of discrimination, hate and tribalism," he stated.
The President defended the UDA-ODM-Kenya Kwanza broad-based arrangement, describing it as the only political formation with what he termed a practical and transformative agenda for the country.
He dismissed opposition parties as personality-driven and tribal outfits, while accusing their leaders of lacking a plan for the country's future and being motivated by malice and hate.
"It's only the broad-based government that has a transformative, practical agenda for all Kenyans. The other the formations are clueless on the future of the country," he pointed out.
Ruto said the 2027 contest would also be about national unity, arguing that tribalism, exclusion and discrimination should no longer have a place in Kenyan politics.
His political remarks came alongside a detailed account of government projects in Homa Bay, where he announced that Sh27 billion was being invested in affordable housing, modern markets and student hostels at universities, technical colleges and the Kenya Medical Training College.
He said Sh3.5 billion was being spent on 21 modern markets across Homa Bay County.
"We are building the markets because we promised Mama Mboga and other traders that we would provide decent and dignified working spaces for them," he explained.
During the tour, Ruto inspected the ongoing construction of Misambi Modern Market in Kabondo-Kasipul Constituency. The facility will have space for 200 traders and is expected to be completed by November 2026.
The President also handed over Kendu and Kijebi modern markets in Karachuonyo and Suba South constituencies respectively. Each of the two facilities will accommodate 300 Mama Mboga and other traders.
Ruto said Homa Bay had remained behind other areas in development for many years but argued that his administration was now addressing the gap.
"In 2022, there was barely any infrastructure development in Suba South Constituency. There were no fresh produce markets and not a single kilometre of tarmac road," he said.
He said the government was also working to address marginalisation in different parts of the country by ensuring development reaches all regions.
"In Suba South today, we have completed 30km and, by next year, we will have built 90km," he said.
At Sindo, Ruto handed over a newly completed modern market, inspected road works in the town and laid the foundation stone for Sindo Kenya Medical Training College.
His tour ended in Homa Bay town, where he commissioned the completed Junction Kodoyo-Pier Road.
Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi of Energy and John Mbadi of the National Treasury accompanied the President during the tour.
Governors Gladys Wanga of Homa Bay, Ochilo Ayacko of Migori and Simba Arati of Kisii were also present, alongside National Assembly Minority Leader Junet Mohamed and several MPs.
Mbadi said ODM's decision to join the Broad-Based Government was guided by the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, who, he said, directed him to support Ruto in delivering his development plans.
“When Raila brought us to the Broad-Based Government, he was very clear. He told me that I must support President Ruto to deliver on his agenda,” he said.
At various stops during the county tour, leaders accompanying Ruto said the government's development programme marked a new phase of development for the people of Nyanza.