President William Ruto has framed the 2027 General Election as a contest over national unity and equitable development, saying voters will have an opportunity to reject tribalism, marginalization and divisive politics.

Speaking in Migori County on Wednesday during his development tour of Nyanza, Ruto said his administration would continue pushing for development across the country regardless of political or ethnic affiliation.

“The 2027 General Election will be a vote to do away with discrimination, tribalism and hatred among Kenya’s communities. It will be about inclusivity, unity and against marginalization,” he said.

Ruto linked the message to the broad-based political arrangement involving his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), arguing that the partnership had helped shift government focus towards inclusive development.

“The Broad-Based Government is ensuring that development is implemented in all parts of the country. No part of Kenya is being discriminated against or marginalised in development,” he said.

The President also stepped up his criticism of his political rivals, accusing former President Uhuru Kenyatta of sponsoring opposition leaders to frustrate his administration’s programmes.

Speaking in Migori town, Ruto described some of his opponents as “puppets” and “people on hire”, claiming they were being used to oppose initiatives including affordable housing.

“We are competing with a bunch of people either engaging in personality cults or ethnic inclination with no plan or agenda except titles or long careers with no development record,” he said. The remarks were part of a broader attack on the opposition during his Nyanza tour.

Away from the political exchanges, Ruto launched construction of the 32-kilometre Kanyawanga-Kwoyo-Madiaba-Dede-Odongo Oher-Rapogi-Awendo road in Awendo Constituency.

The project, valued at Sh2.25 billion, is expected to improve connectivity and access to markets and essential services.

Ruto said the government had increased spending on roads in Migori County from less than Sh2 billion before 2022 to Sh19 billion, with 320 kilometres of new roads under construction.

He also said 82,000 households had been connected to electricity in Migori over the past three years, bringing electricity access in the county to 82 per cent.

According to the President, another Sh2.3 billion has been allocated this financial year to connect 21,000 additional households.

“Between 2023 and 2027, our plan to connect 100,000 homes in Migori County, under the Rural Electrification Programme, is well underway,” he said.

On the sugar sector, the President said reforms at Sony Sugar Company had improved payments to farmers and workers, adding that sugarcane farmers in Migori were expected to receive a bonus next month.

During the tour, Ruto also inspected the 20km Stella-Sibuoche-Gogo Falls road and commissioned the 28km Awendo-Masaba transmission line and Masaba substation, a Sh1.4 billion electricity project expected to strengthen power supply across Migori, Kehancha and Isebania.

Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi, who accompanied the President, challenged politicians seeking the presidency in 2027 to explain how they would address Kenya’s economic and social challenges rather than rely on campaign slogans.

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