President Ruto tells opposition to ditch ‘Must Go’ slogans, unveil policies

Melita Ole Tenges
By Melita Ole Tenges October 17, 2026 08:16 (EAT)
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President William Ruto tours Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, on October 17, 2026. PHOTO | PCS

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President William Ruto has dismissed opposition leaders as no match for his leadership and political strategy, challenging them to present clear policies ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Speaking in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County, the President rallied his Rift Valley stronghold to back his re-election bid, while Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) Deputy Party Leader Simba Arati called for a broad-based political strategy in the grassroots to capture more elective seats.

Touring Uasin Gishu and Nandi counties, the President took aim at opposition leaders, challenging them to offer policy alternatives instead of slogans and calls for his removal from office.

“Ndio mimi nawaambia, yule Mr Empty, Mr 40 na Mr Yala, tafadhali my friends, tafuteni sera. Wachana na hasira ya ‘Must Go’... tafuteni sera. Wakenya ni watu wako na akili,” he said.

Ruto accused his political rivals of promoting division, exclusion and ethnic politics, insisting that such rhetoric would not win them public support.

“I want to tell our competitors here in my hometown: don't sell us hate, don't sell us anger, don't sell us division, don't sell us exclusion, don't sell us ethnicity. We have no business with that,” he stated.

Arati urged Rift Valley voters to embrace a broad-based strategy, arguing that cooperation across party lines could help the alliance secure more elective seats.

“Mkikosana na UDA, wewe ruka ODM, na mkikosana na ODM, wewe ruka UDA. Hivyo ndivyo tutapata viti mingi zaidi,” said the Kisii Governor.

The President defended his administration's record, insisting that his government had delivered on its economic promises and challenging critics to account for their alternative plans.

“The economy we promised to stabilise, we have stabilised. Our exchange rate is stable, our interest rates are stable. Our economy is the sixth largest in Africa,” he said.

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