Ruto declares readiness for 2027 election, says Kenyans will judge his track record

President William Ruto has declared that he is fully prepared for the 2027 General Election, saying Kenyans will judge his administration based on its development record.

Speaking on Wednesday at State House, Nairobi, during a meeting with 500 bishops, pastors and evangelists from the Federation of Evangelical and Indigenous Christian Churches of Africa, Ruto said he remains confident in his government’s economic, agricultural, housing, employment, market and healthcare reforms.

“I am ready for the test. That exam we will sit in 2027, I am ready for it,” he said.

“You will come and ask me. On the economy, I will answer. On agriculture, you will see for yourselves. On the Social Health Authority, you will tell me. On affordable housing, on markets, on youth employment—you will tell me.”

He challenged his political rivals to present an alternative agenda, accusing them of lacking a clear plan.

“You will tell me who has a better plan than the one I have. These other guys (opposition) cannot tell you anything about the economy because they don’t know, and they don’t have a plan,” he said.

“They can’t tell you anything about our children’s education because they don’t know, and they don’t have a plan. They won’t tell you anything.”

He dismissed the opposition as a group of critics without solutions.

“They will only tell you, ‘Ruto must go,’ ‘Wantam,’ ’Kasongo’… Have they ever explained anything about agriculture even once?” he posed.

“Do they have a different plan from the one I have on healthcare? That is the reality, my friends.”

On the issue of youth protests, Ruto asked leaders to avoid inciting young people into violence and instead help address unemployment.

“We must work together to find lasting solutions to the challenge of unemployment. On our part, we are making deliberate interventions to create jobs. Labour mobility has enabled 400,000 young Kenyans to secure employment abroad in the past two years,” he said.

He highlighted that 320,000 youths are engaged under the Affordable Housing Programme, while another 180,000 are working in digital jobs at Jitume Labs in technical colleges and Tatu City’s Special Economic Zone. He noted that the government is also setting up digital hubs in all 1,450 wards across the country.

President Ruto says job creation must be deliberate and well-planned, not left to chance. He says currently, 320,000 youths are employed through the housing programme, with the number expected to grow to 600,000 in the next 2–3 months. pic.twitter.com/lJQEEg0cFC

— The Eastleigh Voice (@Eastleighvoice) July 16, 2025

Further, the President noted that the government has recruited 76,000 teachers, with an additional 24,000 expected to be hired by January 2026.

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“This is the largest teacher recruitment drive in our country’s history,” he said.

He warned that incitement leading to unrest is harmful to the country and reiterated that his government is focused on providing jobs to absorb young graduates.

The Head of State reiterated that Kenya’s labour export strategy is anchored on bilateral agreements, which ensure Kenyan workers abroad are protected.

“Through bilateral labour agreements, we are able to protect our citizens and offer help whenever they need it,” he said.

The President told the religious leaders that without the creation of over 900,000 jobs in the past two years, recent protests would have been worse.

“The task of creating job opportunities for our youth is ongoing. It is not a task that can be completed in one day or one year; it is a work in progress,” he said.

Ruto vowed to stay on course with his transformation agenda, quoting former US President Abraham Lincoln: “The greatness of a leader is determined by the cause he believes in and the sacrifice he is willing to make to achieve it.”

He further defended his economic reforms, saying inflation has dropped from 9.6 per cent in 2022 to 3.8 per cent, the shilling has strengthened from Sh165 to Sh130 against the dollar, and dollar reserves have risen from $7 billion to $10.8 billion.

“When I took office, Kenya was among six African countries listed for debt default,” Ruto said.

He outlined agricultural reforms, citing subsidised fertiliser, reduced maize flour prices from Sh240 to between Sh100 and Sh160, better returns for coffee farmers from Sh70 to between Sh110 and Sh150 per kilo, and reforms in the sugar sector.

“Production has risen from 500,000 metric tonnes in 2023 to 800,000 tonnes last year. This year, production is expected to hit 900,000 tonnes. In three years, Kenya will be a net exporter of sugar,” he said.

On healthcare, he pledged to ensure universal coverage so that “no Kenyan has to sell property to pay hospital bills.”

He also defended plans to build a church at State House, saying more than 300 families living within the compound currently worship in poor conditions.

“Those stories you hear that the construction of the church will cost billions is the language of the devil trying to incite the public,” Ruto said.

He reminded Kenyans that the country’s Constitution recognises Kenya as a God-fearing nation.

The church leaders, in turn, criticised those opposing the construction of churches in the country.