NAROK, Kenya — President William Ruto has escalated his political offensive against Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, dismissing the former Vice President’s presidential ambitions by characterizing his decades-long career as a period of “zero development.”
Speaking on Sunday during a service at Covenant Church International in Rotian, Narok County, the President argued that Kenya requires leaders defined by their delivery and tangible achievements rather than political longevity.
President Ruto questioned how leaders who have served for decades could seek the country’s highest office without a visible trail of infrastructure or social projects to their name.
“If a person has been in leadership for 10 years, and has not built any road, no school, no church, is that a person to be elected?” Ruto posed to the congregation.
While avoiding direct mention of Musyoka by name in several instances, the President’s targets were unmistakable as he scrutinized the impact of those who have spent nearly half a century in the public eye.
“Someone has been in politics for 40 years and has not built anything, no school, no church, no road,” Ruto said. “Even if we do not look at what he has done nationally, what has he done in his home area? Even in his home, nothing.”
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The President insisted that the 2027 contest should be a competition of results. He urged voters to move away from “political theatrics” and scrutinize the performance of every candidate who has previously held power.
“It is good to say the truth. I want to challenge my competitors to show us their track records because they have been leaders in this country,” he said. “I can show my track record as a leader; let them show us theirs.”
He further emphasized that leadership must be measured by service delivery, not the enthusiasm of crowds at political rallies.
“As leaders, we must be accountable. You should not be a person who people just clap for and dance for. You must deliver,” he added. “They want to compete with me, and I have insisted that they must first have an agenda and then show Kenyans your track record.”
This latest exchange follows a recent trip to Turkana where the President mocked the state of the road leading to Musyoka’s home in Tseikuru, Kitui County.
Ruto used the infrastructure as a metaphor for what he describes as the former VP’s failure to utilize his previous high-ranking government positions for the benefit of his constituents.
Kalonzo’s rebuttal
Kalonzo Musyoka has since fired back, accusing the President of using the pulpit to launch personal attacks rather than focusing on the spiritual nature of the church service.
The Wiper leader has also countered by blaming the current administration for stalling projects initiated during previous regimes and “politicizing” development to settle political scores.
