President William Ruto has challenged opposition leaders to shun divisive rhetoric, ethnic hate speech and insults, urging them instead to base the 2027 electoral contest on development records, ideas and policy agendas.
The President spoke on Saturday in Kericho town at the conclusion of a four-day working tour of Bomet and Kericho counties, where he launched and inspected several development projects.
“I welcome my competitors to a competition of plans, ideas and programmes,” President Ruto said, inviting his political opponents to engage in a contest based on their development track records, vision and policy proposals.
He said Kenyans were sufficiently informed to make the right decisions in the next General Election based on the performance and ability of political leaders.
The President also highlighted what he termed key achievements of his administration, including economic stabilisation, agriculture, affordable housing, infrastructure, healthcare and education.
“I committed and have delivered on the promises I made in economic stability, healthcare, agriculture, affordable housing and education,” he said.
President Ruto said the Government was also implementing deliberate measures and making strategic investments to address unemployment.
“So far, we have created 1.1 million jobs in the Affordable Housing Programme, 300,000 digital jobs and 680,000 overseas jobs through bilateral labour agreements with partner States,” he said.
Investments in Kericho
In Kericho County, President Ruto launched the construction of the Chelimo Special Economic Zone, which he said would host a range of industries, including business process outsourcing, agro-processing of food and animal feeds, veterinary medicines, medical devices and equipment, light agricultural machinery, biotechnology, natural products and pharmaceuticals.
He said the business process outsourcing component alone was expected to create more than 10,000 jobs for young people in Kericho and neighbouring areas.
The President also laid the foundation stone for the 2,280-unit Chelimo Affordable Housing Project, valued at KSh5.9 billion.
He further initiated the KSh5.6 billion Kabianga University School of Medicine and Health Sciences. The first phase will comprise the School of Medicine, School of Nursing and supporting facilities, including a central e-learning library, lecture theatres and administrative facilities.
To improve access to the projects and investments, President Ruto also unveiled plans for the construction of the Mid-West–Chelimo Road.
New mother and baby hospital
Earlier, in Bomet County, the President launched the construction of the Chebunyo Amsons Mother and Baby Hospital in Chepalungu Constituency.
He said the hospital marked an important milestone in the Government’s efforts to reduce preventable maternal and newborn deaths.
“The modern Level 4 facility will have a capacity of up to 250 beds and provide antenatal services, labour and delivery care, maternity and obstetric intensive care, postnatal services, newborn care and neonatal intensive care,” President Ruto said.
The facility will also include dedicated maternity and neonatal theatres, an isolation unit, a mothers’ hostel and other essential services.
“Chebunyo is one of 10 mother and baby hospitals being developed through a $35 million (KSh4.5 billion) grant from the Amsons Group under the Mama na Mtoto Kwanza Initiative,” he said.
During the tour, the President was accompanied by Roads and Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, Kericho Governor Eric Mutai, Bomet Governor Hillary Barchok, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot and several Members of Parliament, among other leaders.
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