President William Ruto has described opposition leaders as an “existential threat” to Kenya’s development, accusing them of lacking a track record, a current policy agenda and a clear vision for the country’s future.

Speaking at Kapkatet Grounds in Bureti Constituency, Kericho County, on Thursday, Ruto said his political rivals had failed to offer credible alternatives to the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development programme.

“The difference between those of us who want to make Kenya a first-world economy and those who want to take us back to the stone age is like day and night,” Ruto said.

The President, who is on a four-day tour of Kericho and Bomet counties, dismissed opposition claims that his administration over-promised during the 2022 General Election campaign.

He maintained that his government was implementing its manifesto, citing road construction, affordable housing, universal health coverage and employment programmes targeting young people.

“We are building roads, what is the opposition plan? We have affordable housing, we have universal health coverage, and we are creating jobs for the youth. What is their plan?” he posed.

“Their agenda is one-term and Kasongo, among other slogans. They should find an agenda. William Ruto cannot be their agenda.”

Ruto said his administration’s development record was visible across the country and insisted resources would continue to be distributed equitably.

“Every part of Kenya must get equal development,” he said, adding that all regions deserved access to roads, electricity, water, jobs and public services.

The political remarks came as the President launched and inspected several infrastructure projects in Kericho.

Earlier, he broke ground for the construction of the 53-kilometre Sabunit-Kapkondor-Furaha-Hill Tea Access Road in Londiani, Kipkelion East Constituency.

The Sh3 billion road is expected to improve connectivity across key tea and coffee-growing areas in the county.

Ruto also said the government had revived stalled road projects after settling money owed to contractors, claiming more than 6,000 kilometres of roads were currently under construction nationwide.

In Bureti Constituency, he launched construction of the 34-kilometre Panda Pilis-Kampala-Bokoiyot-Mabasi road.

According to the President, Sh22 billion is being spent on about 300 kilometres of roads across Kericho County.

He also handed over the Kapkatet Modern Market, which is expected to accommodate more than 200 traders.

“The market is one of the 12 we are building across Kericho County to ensure traders do business in decent and dignified spaces,” Ruto said.

The facility includes electricity, water, toilets, storage areas, cold rooms and internet connectivity.

Ruto said the government was targeting more than 600 modern markets across the country as part of its support for small traders.

Other projects announced during the tour include Sh5.6 billion for the first 2,200 affordable housing units in Kericho town, against an overall target of 5,000 units.

The President also announced plans for a Special Economic Zone and said construction of the Sh1 billion Kabianga Medical School would begin soon.

He said Londiani and Kericho referral hospitals were also being developed to strengthen healthcare services.

In sports infrastructure, the government is investing Sh1.1 billion in Kapkatet Stadium and another Sh1 billion in Kericho Green Stadium.

Kapkatet Stadium is being upgraded into a 10,000-seat facility with a six-lane running track, a standard football pitch and other sporting amenities.

Ruto also announced Sh1.6 billion for the Kapkatet and Litein water projects, Sh400 million for water and sanitation works in Kericho town and Sh1.6 billion under the Last Mile Electricity Connectivity programme to connect 16,000 households.

The President later commissioned the Chebole-Kiplokyi-Kapkoros road and launched construction of the Kipsonoi-Kamureito-Kapkelei road in Sotik Constituency, Bomet County.

He was accompanied by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok and several MPs.

Ruto’s tour of the two counties continues on Friday and Saturday.

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