By Fridah Mbuvi, June 29, 2026
President William Ruto on Sunday launched one of his strongest attacks yet against the opposition, dismissing its leaders as “mafala sana” (very stupid), accusing them of lacking policies and development records, and declaring that he would defeat them “asubuhi na mapema” in the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during the Dairy Farmers Field Day at the Meru ASK Showground, the President departed from his usual focus on government development programmes and instead delivered a highly charged political speech aimed at rallying support in the vote-rich Mt. Kenya region.
Ruto ridiculed opposition leaders, claiming they had spent decades occupying senior government positions without delivering meaningful development for Kenyans. He argued that instead of presenting alternative policies, the opposition had resorted to insults and political slogans targeting his administration.
The President specifically dismissed the opposition’s use of the nicknames “Kasongo” and “Wantam” (One Term), saying such labels would not improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans or address the country’s economic challenges.
“One term, Kasongo, itabadilisha dunia? Si hiyo ni ujinga? Hawa jamaa hawana mpango, sera, agenda, ata akili hawana,” Ruto said.
He also criticized opposition leaders over their response to the June 25 anti-government memorial demonstrations, accusing them of celebrating business disruptions, road blockades and unrest instead of offering practical solutions to the country’s challenges.
According to the President, his political rivals have built their campaigns around insults, hatred and tribal politics rather than presenting credible economic policies capable of improving the lives of Kenyans.
Ruto maintained that his administration remains focused on implementing development projects and delivering on promises made to voters, arguing that tangible achievements would ultimately outweigh political rhetoric during the next General Election.
The President’s remarks came during a tour of Meru County, where he also sought to reinforce support for his administration in the Mt. Kenya region following the political fallout that culminated in the departure of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua.
During the visit, Ruto publicly endorsed Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, urging residents to rally behind the new leadership as the government continues implementing its development agenda across the region.
Political observers view the President’s increasingly combative tone as part of a broader strategy to consolidate support in Mt. Kenya, a region expected to play a decisive role in determining the outcome of the 2027 presidential election.
The region has become a key political battleground after Gachagua joined forces with opposition leaders, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka and other opposition figures, in an effort to build a broad coalition capable of challenging Ruto’s bid for a second term.
Analysts say the President is seeking to frame the 2027 contest as a choice between his government’s record of infrastructure development, affordable housing, agricultural reforms and economic programmes on one hand, and what he describes as an opposition driven by slogans, criticism and political theatrics on the other.
With the next General Election still more than a year away, political campaigns have already intensified, with both the Kenya Kwanza administration and the opposition coalition stepping up efforts to consolidate support in strategic regions. Sunday’s remarks signal that the battle for the Mt. Kenya vote is likely to become one of the defining contests in the race to State House in 2027.
