“Silly Phrases Won’t Help You Win!” – Ruto Tells United Opposition
On Friday, President William Ruto took a jab at the opposition, challenging them to give Kenyans a clear policy agenda instead of what he called “endless meetings and rhetoric.”
The United Opposition’s planned retreat was rejected by Ruto, who claimed that Kenyans were sick of slogans and insults and wanted to hear specific plans on development, employment, and the economy.
“Ati naona wale majamaa sijui wanapanga seminar, sijui wamepanga retreat, ati waende waongee kutafuta candidate ama sijui nini,” Ruto said.
He was addressing residents in Kondele, Kisumu County.
“Nawaambia hawa majamaa watafute sera, maono na agenda. Hawa wananchi wanataka kujua agenda yao ni gani,” Ruto added.
President William Ruto has made a personal appeal for national unity, urging leaders of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) to enter negotiations to form the next government. pic.twitter.com/OzuQ0d0gBs
— TheStarKenya (@TheStarKenya) January 30, 2026
The opposition, according to the president, has no ideas and only uses personal assaults to criticize his leadership.
Additionally, he maintained that slogans like “one-term” and “Kasongo must go” did not constitute a political platform.
“Wasitubebe ufala. Watakuja hapa Kisumu na maneno yao ni one-term, Kasongo must go. Hiyo ndio sera? Hiyo ni mpango? Hiyo ni maono?” he posed, drawing cheers from the crowd.
He went on to commend Kisumu citizens for being astute voters who could not be duped by meaningless rhetoric.
“Nyinyi watu wa Kisumu mko na akili. Hawa majamaa hawana agenda, hata akili hawana,” the President said.
The United Opposition announced intentions to hold a two-day retreat beginning on Thursday, February 12, 2025, one day before to Ruto’s comments.
The retreat’s objectives are to fortify the coalition, decide on a formal name, and provide the framework for choosing a presidential candidate.
Eugene Wamalwa, the leader of the Democratic Action Party–Kenya (DAP-K), characterized the retreat as a crucial step in strengthening internal structures and bringing the alliance together in preparation for the upcoming general election.
The opposition alliance intends to launch a nationwide outreach initiative, he continued.
In order to boost voter registration, especially among young Kenyans, and to mobilize residents to actively engage in determining the nation’s destiny, its leaders will traverse the nation.
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Wamalwa also revealed that the coalition would settle on its presidential candidate six months before the General Election, with the flag bearer to be chosen from among the six principals in the alliance.
“Our pick for a presidential flag bearer will take shape six months before the General Election,” he said.
“We will only choose a candidate that Kenyans want, one who has no corruption-related cases, no blood on his hands, no questionable character, and who must also have a proven track record.”
The rest of the coalition leaders, Wamalwa said, would rally behind the chosen candidate to mount a strong challenge against President Ruto.
“Silly Phrases Won’t Help You Win!” – Ruto Tells United Opposition
