‘Manifesto-free campaigns will sink you,’ Ruto warns opposition after by-election wins

President William Ruto speaks at Kamandura, Kiambu County, when he launched the dualling of the Nairobi-Mau Summit and the Nairobi-Maai Mahiu-Naivasha roads. (Photo: William Ruto/X)

By Barack Oduor
Friday, November 28, 2025

President William Ruto affirmed that the by-election losses should serve as a wake-up call to leaders who are busy selling hatred, disunity, and succession politics rather than articulating how they intend to improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

President William Ruto on Friday appeared bullish and confident of reelection in the next General Election, citing what he termed as impressive performance in the just-concluded mini polls.

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Speaking in Nakuru during the launch of an infrastructural project, Ruto castigated the opposition, saying its heavy losses in the by-elections were the clearest signal from voters who, he claimed, had grown tired of leaders engaging in empty slogans and tribal incitement.

Ruto poked holes in his opponents’ strategies, accusing them of running what he referred to as a manifesto-free campaign centered on personal attacks and doomsday chants rather than substantive policy proposals.

“I already told them: you people of hatred and tribalism, busy selling the agenda of ‘one term’ and ‘Kasongo must go’, that is not a manifesto. Please look for a manifesto before it’s too late,” he stated.

He added, “Yesterday, the people sent them a warning. They told them to look for a manifesto and an agenda. If it’s just ‘Ruto must go,’ your goose will be cooked and you will see dust.”

The President noted that broad-based, government-aligned candidates had secured victory in all seven constituency contests spanning Mbeere North, Kasipul, Banisa, Baringo, Malava, Ugunja, and Magarini.

He insisted the by-election results were not merely a win for the ruling coalition but a firm decision on the style and substance of contemporary opposition politics.

“If they continue with this, we will sink them at dawn; we have warned them. I want to thank the electorate from Mbeere North, Kasipul, Ugunja, Baringo, Banisa, Malava, and Magarini because you have assured us that you don’t want tribalism, hatred, and division,” he said.“We want a united nation that focuses on the good and benefit of every citizen, without limitation of ethnicity, religion, or region.”

The Head of State said the opposition had attempted to package resentment and tribal undertones as a political manifesto, but voters had decisively pushed back.

He affirmed that the by-election losses should serve as a wake-up call to leaders who are busy selling hatred, disunity, and succession politics rather than articulating how they intend to improve the lives of ordinary Kenyans.

“I want to tell our friends: we don’t want a divided country. Don’t sell us ethnicity, hate, and division. We want a united country. Tell us your plan, tell us your agenda. ‘One term, Kasongo must go’ is not a plan—it’s about a person, it’s about hate, and the next election,” he said.

President Ruto contrasted his administration’s focus with what he described as the opposition’s fixation on personalities and the next electoral cycle.

“We are discussing the next generation, we are discussing people. You are discussing elections. There’s a world of difference between you and us, it’s as clear as day is from night,” he asserted.

The November 27 by-election was largely won by broad-based government candidates. UDA’s Leo Wamuthende emerged winner of the Mbeere North parliamentary seat, solidifying the party’s hold in Embu County.