‘We Can’t Handover To Such People,’ Ruto Dismisses Opposition as ‘Planless’ and ‘Bitter,’ Vows to Complete Two Terms

President criticizes opposition leaders while avoiding calls for justice over blogger’s death

KAKAMEGA, Kenya – President William Ruto launched a scathing attack on Kenya’s opposition leadership Sunday, dismissing them as disorganized and lacking viable solutions for the country’s challenges while reaffirming his determination to serve out his full term.

Speaking at Kivaywa Comprehensive School in Lugari, Kakamega County, Ruto specifically targeted prominent opposition figures including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Fred Matiang’i, and Martha Karua, accusing them of having no substantive agenda beyond removing him from office.

“Their only message is ‘Ruto must go’. But how does that solve challenges in healthcare, education, or agriculture? They are angry and bitter yet they have no plan. We cannot hand over leadership to such people,” the President declared to his audience.

The remarks come as political tensions escalate ahead of the 2027 elections, with Gachagua recently announcing that opposition forces are uniting to field a single presidential candidate against Ruto. “We are calling on all Kenyans to help us root out Dr Ruto,” Gachagua said in response to the President’s comments.

Ruto used the Kakamega appearance to promise renewed focus on stalled infrastructure projects in the county, including roads, water systems, and electricity connections, which he blamed on previous poor planning. He warned that anyone obstructing his administration’s development agenda would face firm action.

However, the President notably avoided addressing growing public pressure over the recent killing of blogger and former teacher Albert Ojwang, whose death has sparked widespread outrage and calls for accountability. Local leaders present at the event, including Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja and Kakamega Governor Fernandes Barasa, had explicitly urged Ruto to speak out on the case.

Governor Sakaja, who revealed he had offered employment to Ojwang’s widow and purchased land for the family, was direct in his call for justice: “Let there be no sacred cow,” he said, warning against any potential cover-up.

The case has raised serious questions about police conduct, with Governor Barasa questioning delays in arresting Deputy Inspector General Eliud Lagat, who filed the complaint that led to Ojwang’s arrest. Three police officers who reportedly transported Ojwang to Mbagathi Hospital remain unapprehended.

Religious leaders have also weighed in, with the Kenya Coalition of Church Alliances and Ministries condemning Ojwang’s death as “a stain on the moral standing of the National Police Service.” The group called on the Independent Policing Oversight Authority to expedite investigations into not only Ojwang’s case but other suspicious deaths of young people nationwide.

As political battle lines harden ahead of 2027, Ruto’s combative stance against the opposition reflects his administration’s increasingly defensive posture amid mounting criticism over governance issues and human rights concerns. His refusal to address the Ojwang case directly may signal broader challenges in maintaining public confidence as his presidency faces growing scrutiny.

The opposition, meanwhile, appears to be consolidating around a unified challenge to Ruto’s re-election bid, setting the stage for what promises to be a contentious political period ahead.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​