President Fires Back at Opposition in Fiery Western Kenya Development Tour Speech
Politics Updated: 13 June 2026 14:33 EAT
President William Samoei Ruto speaking during the launch of Shirikiana Sacco in Western Kenya
President William Ruto used the Shirikiana SACCO launch in Western Kenya to defend his administration’s development agenda, highlight ongoing regional projects, and criticise political opponents, in a speech that blended governance messaging with sharp political commentary.
He opened by thanking Parliament and regional leaders for their role in supporting legislation and oversight, stressing that cooperation between branches of government had enabled the passage of key reforms and strengthened accountability in public service delivery.
He stated that collaboration within government structures had been instrumental, saying:
“i want to thank the members of parliament here they have been a useful full team making sure that they keep accountability on the line, they pass legislation and they represent their people as is required of them. Mimi nataka niseme asante sana na mimi nataka niwahakikishie watu wa Western Kenya najua watu ambao hawana mpango yeyote ni porojo mingi wanazungusha ukiwasikiza wakitembea na huku wanasumbua watu wanaingia kwa masoko wanapigia watu kelele. Hawauzi nyanya hawauzi kuku hawauzi chochote.”
The President then turned his attention to political critics, accusing them of lacking a development agenda and instead engaging in disruptive political activity across public spaces, markets, and religious gatherings.
“wameenda huko na mala spika kupigia watu kelele wanaenda huko kanisani hao si members wa kwaya sio wahubiri hawatoi shuhuda ni watu ya kwenda kusumbua watu kanisani wanaenda huko kwa mazishi hata hawajui nani amekufa anaenda kupigia watu kelele huko na ndio mnasikia wanatangatanga huku oh hakuna kitu imefanyika oh hakuna kitu imefanyika Oh sijui nini.”
Ruto maintained that his administration had reversed decline in key regional industries, particularly in the sugar sector, arguing that previously struggling companies were now operational again under government reforms.
“Kwanza walianza wakasema ya kwamba yale mambo huyu William Ruto anasema hayawezekani. Si walisema huko wakasema ati Ruto ni muongo. Sasa mimi nataka niwapashe wakuje hii Western Kenya tuwaambie ile mumyas ilikuwa imekufa sasa imeamka. Ile Sony ilikuwa imekufa sasa inafanya kazi.”
He further defended reforms in the sugar value chain, noting that farmers and workers were now receiving more consistent payments compared to past delays that stretched for months or even years.
“Wale walikulima walikuwa wanangojea miezi sita. walipwe miwa yao. Sasa wanalipwa kila siku saba wanalipwa miwa yao. Wale wafanyikazi wa hizo kampuni ya sukari ambao walikuwa wanangojea mwaka mmoja walipe mshahara leo wanalipwa tarehe 27 kila mwezi.”
On infrastructure and social development, the President highlighted progress in health facilities, stadium construction, housing, and education infrastructure across Western Kenya counties.
“wakuje hapa tuwaeleze ya kwamba hospitali yetu level 6 ya hapa Kakamega inakamilika mwezi wa 11. Tunaweka vifaa watu wakakameka watasonga mbele waende huko Bungoma waone Bungoma tunajenga hospitali mpya ya bilioni nane kule level six kule Bungoma wakuje hapa waone stadium yetu tunamaliza in the next few months hii stadium yetu waende waone Viiga tunajenga stadium waende waone Busia tunajenga stadium waende waone stadium ya kule Bungoma ime imekamilika.”
The Head of State also pointed to wider national reforms, including teacher recruitment, health insurance restructuring, and expansion of affordable housing projects in the region.
“wale waalimu ambao hawakuwa shuleni sasa tumeajiri walimu 100 wajue ya kwamba ile NHIF yao ya watu milioni nane sasa kwa shako na watu milioni 31 hawa watu tutawapasha bwana hii mnanielewa Wale watu ni mafala sana hawana hata hawajui mbele wala nyuma.”
Ruto further dismissed his critics as lacking a development track record, arguing that long-serving political figures had little to show for their years in public service.
“Na ni watu ambao hawana track record yoyote. Mtu kama umezunguka umekuwa waziri ya kila kitu umekuwa katika serikali miaka 50 huna chochote hakuna mahali utaonyeshwa anywhere ati umefanya anything.”
He also highlighted affordable housing, markets, and university infrastructure projects across five Western Kenya counties, describing them as part of a broader economic transformation programme.
“affordable housing inaendelea hii western Kenya counties tano tumeweka bilioni 100 ya housing ya affordable ya markets na ya hostels hapa katika hii university yetu hii vice chancela yuko hapa hapa tunajenga hostels vijana wa hapa hii Masinde.”
At the conclusion of the event, Ruto officially launched the Shirikiana SACCO, announcing his membership and personal contribution, while urging disciplined savings and responsible lending within the cooperative structure.
“It is therefore my singular honor and privilege to launch shirikiana sako. And before I do that si nimesema mimi ni member sasa wewe nani mnipangie membership yangu hapo… Eh nilikubaliana na my good friend weekly for paranya ya kwamba nitatafuta milioni 50 niweke kwa hii sako yenu ndio tuanze nayo sindio? Lakini si ati pesa ati watu watagawanya. Hapana.”
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FELIX MAKONA
FACT FINDER AND DATA DRIVEN JOURNALIST. DATA MINING AT IT'S BEST. GET FACTS RANGING FROM MATTERS DISABILITY AND INCLUSION, POLITICS, ECONOMY, SPORTS AND GENERAL NEWS AROUND THE WORLD