President William Ruto on Wednesday once again dismissed talks from his critics and opponents that he would serve for only one term.
Speaking in Wajir on his second day of tour of the North Eastern region, Ruto expressed confidence saying his focus is to deliver the promises Kenya Kwanza administration gave Kenyans during elections, faulting his opponents for promoting disunity.
Without mentioning names, Ruto said those spearheading the one-term presidency talks have never contested for the seat and have no understanding of what it takes for one to become president.
“Sometimes people make threats saying I will be a one-term president. That is not my concern. 2027 will not be any different from all the other elections we have had,” he said, adding, “I was an MP for 15 years, I became a deputy president for 10 years and now I am the president, what haven’t I become?.”
Ruto said his priority instead is how to transform the country and the economy.
“We cannot be politicking and asking for votes all through. Elections are decided by God and the people. Many of you did not believe that I could beat Uhuru and Raila,” said Ruto.
READ: William Ruto: Will he be one-term President?
This is the second time the President is wading into the debate over his fate to secure a second term.
Speaking at a church function on January 12 at the United Pentecostal Church of Kenya in Dagoretti North constituency, Ruto said, “Some people are talking about one term, two terms, three terms. I want to tell them that back then some people never imagined that I would even have any term. By God’s grace I have become the President of Kenya. I have every intention to make sure that we transform our nation.”
And on Wednesday, Ruto said, “I am not worried about the one-term President talk. There is no election this year or next year. I am focused on transforming the country.”
Ruto spoke during a meeting with grassroots leaders in Mandera Town. The meeting discussed priority programmes affecting residents, including security and infrastructure development like education, healthcare, transport, water and sanitation.
He said the country “cannot be run on tribal basis or on grounds of disunity,” warning elected leaders of facing the wrath of the public should they fail to deliver on their mandates.
“We have to work extra hard to transform the country…There is no need to be elected if you have failed to deliver. Let them go home,” he said.
Ruto has recently been on the receiving end of the opposition which has sustained political attacks on his leadership style.
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On several occasions, opposition leaders have accused his administration of overseeing vices in the government including abductions, extrajudicial killings, introduction of unpopular policies and wanton corruption.
ALSO READ: Not me: Ruto responds to ‘one-term’ presidency claims
Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna on Wednesday chided Ruto for his calls for an end to early campaigns.
“Ruto campaigned nine out of the 10 years he was Uhuru’s (Kenyatta) deputy. He has already embarked on campaigns for 2027. He has no moral standing to speak on early campaigns,” Sifuna said on X.
President Ruto said he would not shy away from making tough decisions to accelerate the country’s transformation agenda.
“We must always do what is right and not what is politically correct to transform Kenya,” he said.
Ruto faulted previous governments and leaders for the country’s “delayed destiny,” claiming that many had focused on personal gain rather than the transformation of the nation.
He highlighted that the leadership issue had been one of prioritizing family and community interests over the welfare of the entire country.
During the charm offensive to the North Eastern, the President also presided over the official repealing of what he described as discriminatory policies in the issuance of National Identity Documents to the residents in the region.
