President William Ruto addressing congregants during a Church service at Friends Comprehensive School in Kivaywa, Kakamega County, on Sunday, June 15. Photo/PCS
By Newsflash Team
Political temperatures are rising two years ahead of the 2027 general elections, following controversial remarks by President William Ruto that he will not hand over power to the opposition.
Speaking during a church service at Friends Comprehensive School in Kivaywa, Kakamega County, on Sunday, June 15, the President dismissed his political rivals as lacking a credible agenda for the country.
“We cannot handover to people with no plan. All they keep saying is ‘Ruto must go’. How will that help them? They have no agenda. They have no plan to do anything,” said the head of state to a cheering congregation.
President Ruto’s remarks, widely interpreted as a swipe at the Opposition leaders, have drawn sharp reactions from both political opponents and observers, setting the stage for what many now fear could be a divisive and tense run-up to the next general election.
Gachagua fires back
Among the first to respond was former Deputy President and DCP party leader Rigathi Gachagua, who criticized Ruto’s statement as both undemocratic and unconstitutional.
Speaking at Mukinduri Shopping Centre in Kirinyaga County shortly after Ruto’s remarks, Gachagua accused the president of sowing fear and disregarding Kenya’s legal processes of presidential transition.
“I have heard Kasongo [Ruto] saying that he will not handover to people without a plan. Let me tell you, Ruto, you have done well to acknowledge that you will be defeated. Where you have erred: there is no provision for handing over in the Kenyan constitution, what there is is the Assumption of Office. We don’t need you for a new president who will be elected to assume office,” said Gachagua.
Gachagua’s bold rebuttal is the latest in a series of jabs between the two former allies, who have drifted apart politically since their fallout in October last year.
Read more: 2027: Why Ruto has panicked
Once Ruto’s principal assistant, Gachagua has since become a vocal critic of the Kenya Kwanza administration, accusing it of abandoning the promises made to ordinary citizens.
Analysts raise concerns
The exchange has triggered reactions from political analysts and civil society, many of whom warn that such early and aggressive politicking is a distraction from governance and service delivery.
James Kihara, a Nairobi-based political analyst, cautioned that the country may be headed down a risky path. “It seems the country is now on a full campaign mode two years before the 2027 elections. This is bad, especially for development,” he told Newsflash.
According to Kihara, President Ruto’s remarks set a troubling tone for the upcoming electoral cycle. “It is unfortunate when a sitting president begins to delegitimize his potential successors by questioning their ability to lead even before any campaigns officially begin,” he said. “Such rhetoric not only undermines the democratic process but could also embolden anti-democratic actors.”
Read more:Gachagua unveils 2027 presidential agenda
Caroline Mumanya, another analyst, echoed Kihara’s views, arguing that the statements from both Ruto and Gachagua could inflame political divisions and trigger unnecessary political tension.
“The focus should be on the economy, jobs, and cost of living—not on who is going to succeed who,” she added.
Mounting political tensions
The heated exchanges come amid growing dissatisfaction among Kenyans over the rising cost of living and controversial government proposals, including new tax measures.
Critics say the Kenya Kwanza administration is losing focus on core issues while shifting prematurely into campaign mode.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have vowed to remain vigilant and to ensure a peaceful electoral process in 2027. They have accused Ruto of attempting to intimidate his opponents and erode democratic gains made over the past decade.
