NAIROBI – Kenyan President William Ruto has pledged not to allow tribal politics to flourish in the country, urging citizens to reject leaders who seek to divide Kenyans along ethnic lines.
Speaking during a church service at Full Gospel Church Gatunduri in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, on Sunday, Ruto said national unity remains the foundation for economic growth and sustainable development.
“I will not allow tribal politics to thrive in Kenya. No one will be allowed to divide Kenyans on a tribal basis,” the President said, describing ethnic-based politics as a major obstacle to national progress.
Ruto argued that development, rather than political rhetoric, should be the basis on which leaders are judged, adding that Kenyans are increasingly focused on tangible results and service delivery.
The President also dismissed claims by some political figures that they were solely responsible for delivering votes from the Mt Kenya region during the 2022 General Election. He said he personally campaigned across the region and directly sought support from voters.
“I came here and asked you to vote for me, and you did. No one should claim ownership of your votes,” Ruto told the congregation.
The remarks come amid growing political debate ahead of Kenya’s next general election, with regional alliances and succession politics increasingly shaping public discourse.
During the event, Ruto highlighted his administration’s achievements over the past three and a half years, particularly in education, healthcare, infrastructure, housing, and agriculture.
He said the government had recruited 100,000 teachers, built 23,000 classrooms for junior and senior secondary schools, and increased education funding to a record KSh784 billion in the current financial year.
On healthcare, the President noted that more than 31 million Kenyans have registered with the Social Health Authority (SHA) since its launch in October 2024. He praised Embu County for ranking among the top-performing counties in SHA registration.
Ruto also pointed to progress under the Affordable Housing Programme, saying it has created nearly 700,000 jobs while boosting the construction and manufacturing sectors.
In agriculture, he cited lower fertilizer prices and higher coffee earnings as evidence of successful reforms, noting that coffee farmers in Embu are now earning more than double the prices recorded in 2022.
The President further announced that KSh350 billion had been mobilized for the National Infrastructure Fund, which he said would support major development projects through public-private partnerships.
Local leaders, including Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire, praised the government’s development agenda and pledged support for Ruto’s re-election bid, describing him as a leader committed to transforming Kenya’s economy and improving living standards.
