Nyeri, Kenya, Jan 17 — President William Ruto has laid out his political and governance strategy ahead of the 2027 General Election, telling thousands of grassroots leaders that unity, collaboration, and inclusive development will anchor his administration’s next phase.
Speaking at Sagana State Lodge in Nyeri County, Ruto said the United Democratic Alliance is deliberately building partnerships with other political formations to strengthen national cohesion. He noted that the broad-based government model is designed to ensure that all Kenyans feel represented and benefit from national development.
The President said Kenya’s long-standing challenge has been competition over limited resources, arguing that his administration is focused on growing the economy so that more opportunities are available to all citizens. He stressed that political cooperation allows for win-win outcomes rather than zero-sum rivalries.
Ruto addressed more than 17,000 UDA grassroots leaders elected last week from polling centres across Nyeri County. The meeting was attended by Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga, Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, and Members of Parliament led by National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah.
He said Kenya requires bold leadership, strong political parties, and a shared national vision to sustain progress beyond individual leaders or single election cycles. According to Ruto, political parties play a critical role in safeguarding continuity and ensuring that development gains are consolidated over time.
The President urged Kenyans to reject politics based on division, ethnicity, and hostility, warning that such approaches undermine growth and stability. He said leadership and development must be grounded in unity, patience, humility, and hard work.
Ruto reaffirmed his commitment to using the presidency to unite the country, adding that the government is proud of its development record over the past three years. He said the administration has stabilised the economy, implemented reforms in agriculture, healthcare, and education, and expanded job creation across sectors.
Looking ahead, Ruto outlined major infrastructure plans, including the construction of 30,000 kilometres of roads, 2,500 kilometres of dual carriageways, and the extension of the Standard Gauge Railway from Naivasha to Kisumu and onward to the Uganda border. He also highlighted plans to modernise Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, alongside flagship projects such as the Bomas International Convention Centre and Talanta Stadium.
On party matters, Ruto said he will continue holding consultative meetings with grassroots leaders in every county. He added that UDA will conduct ward, constituency, county, and national elections to further entrench internal democracy and strengthen party structures.
The President said UDA has grown into a formidable national party, noting that 580,000 polling centre officials have been elected nationwide and that 2.4 million members participated in the recent grassroots elections.
Focusing on Nyeri County, Ruto said the government has allocated Sh4 billion for road construction. He added that Mau Mau roads, which stood at about 20 percent completion in 2022, have now reached between 60 and 70 percent and are expected to be completed later this year. Additional funding includes Sh21 billion for affordable housing, markets, and hostels, Sh1.4 billion for electricity connectivity, and another Sh4 billion for roads.
Ichung’wah said the Mt Kenya region aligns with UDA because of its national outlook and unifying agenda, while Mbarire praised women leaders, noting that 36.5 percent of elected party officials are women.
