Ruto turns up heat on Opposition: Drop slogans, bring better ideas

President William Ruto has challenged Opposition leaders to move beyond political slogans and present concrete ideas for transforming the country.

Ruto said Kenyans should judge political leaders based on the policies and ideas they offer rather than catchy political phrases as the country prepares for the 2027 General Election.

“Do not bring us slogans, come with ideas that will help the nation,” Ruto said.

The President spoke when he led the National Health Summit Presidential Townhall at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC) in Nairobi.

The forum focused on the implementation of the Social Health Authority (SHA), Universal Health Coverage under the Taifa Care programme and milestones achieved in the health sector

Ruto said his administration was focused on implementing programmes aimed at transforming the country and warned politicians against turning national politics into a contest of slogans.

“We are building a solid nation. We do not want jokes, we do not want games,” he said.

“We want to compete based on ideas on how to transform our nation.”

Ruto also challenged political leaders to be prepared to explain their positions and policies to Kenyans, saying voters should scrutinise what politicians promise.

“And any leader must stand up to the scrutiny of the Kenyan people on anything they say,” he said.

“No one will come here and say ‘Kasongo’ and say nothing and get away with it. Leaders must explain themselves, and we are there waiting to hear what you have to say.”

The President defended his administration's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, saying the phrase was not merely a campaign slogan but represented policies his government was implementing.

“Do not bring us slogans. When we said Bottom-Up, it was not a slogan; it is what we are doing,” Ruto said.

He cited reforms in the health sector as an example of the Bottom-Up approach, saying the government was working to establish a healthcare system accessible to all Kenyans.

“That is why we have a healthcare system that takes care of every Kenyan from the bottom going up,” he said.

Ruto also pointed to the Hustler Fund as another programme he said had moved beyond political rhetoric to become an active government initiative.

“When we said Hustler Fund, it was not a slogan. It is a fund that has today disbursed Sh90 billion,” he said.

The President said his administration was ready to face political competition but insisted that the debate should centre on competing ideas for the country's future.

“We are not engaged in the game of slogans; we are engaged in the game of transforming our nation. Come with better ideas,” he said.

He reiterated his challenge to Opposition leaders to explain what they would do differently if allowed to lead the country.

“Do not tell us about slogans,” Ruto said.