President William Ruto has urged Kenya’s youthful population to register as voters ahead of the 2027 General Election, saying they hold the power to shape the country’s future and determine the kind of leadership Kenya deserves.
Speaking during a Sunday service at St Mary’s African Independent Pentecostal Church of Africa (AIPCA) Kathelwa in Igembe Central, Meru County, Dr Ruto encouraged young people to take charge of their destiny through the ballot, but warned them against falling prey to divisive and unproductive politics.
“Our young people must register as voters so that they can influence the leadership and the future of this country,” Ruto said.
“But be vigilant against politicians who want to engage you in endless, unhelpful politics.”
The Head of State on Sunday noted that the next polls are still two years away, and his administration remains focused on delivering services and transforming lives rather than politicking.
“The elections are in 2027, not now,” he said.
“We will be elected based on the work we will have done. No one will be elected based on how they look, their faith, or the community they come from.”
Ruto, who was accompanied by Deputy President Kithure Kindiki, Meru Governor Isaac Mutuma, Senate Deputy Speaker Kathuri Murungi, and several MPs and MCAs, said the government will continue implementing policies and projects that improve livelihoods across the country.
The President took a swipe at his political rivals, accusing them of misleading Kenyans with “empty rhetoric and sloganeering” instead of offering tangible solutions to the country’s challenges.
“When you listen to them, they do not speak about development. Our country has been left behind because of leaders who have specialised in empty rhetoric,” he said.
He called on both leaders and citizens to shun divisive and retrogressive politics marked by tribalism, hatred, and the blind pursuit of power.
“We must rise above politics of hatred, division and short-sightedness. Leadership should be about service and development, not just power for the sake of it,” Ruto said.
Ruto said that in the past three years, his administration has laid a strong foundation for the country’s transformation and is now focused on completing major projects.
He highlighted the creation of the Infrastructure Fund, which he said will support the construction of up to 30 mega dams and the generation of at least 10,000 megawatts of energy from diverse sources including wind, solar, hydro and nuclear.
On health, Ruto continued to push for the registration of Kenyans under the Social Health Authority (SHA), assuring that registered members will access free outpatient services in public, private and faith-based facilities.
“If you are seeking outpatient services and someone asks you for money, tell them the government has already paid for the services and call the police,” the President stated.
In Meru County, the President announced a series of development initiatives, including a Sh7 billion redesign and reconstruction of the Nithi Bridge, which has claimed many lives over the past two decades.
“We want to straighten Nithi Bridge so that it stops being a trap where citizens lose lives,” Ruto said.
He added that the government has allocated Sh2 billion to connect 26,000 households in Meru to electricity and Sh11 billion for affordable housing, fresh produce markets, and student hostels. An additional Sh12 billion will be set aside for the same initiatives.
“Apart from building affordable housing and 17 modern markets, we are also putting up hostels for 6,000 students in Meru County,” the President said.
Ruto also revealed that Sh1 billion will be used to upgrade Meru County Referral Hospital to a Level 6 national referral facility.
“We want to ensure residents do not travel to Nairobi in search of quality treatment; it will be available locally,” he added.
DP Kindiki said Mt Kenya and the rest of the country are united in supporting President Ruto’s national transformation agenda and will evaluate his performance based on development results.
“Forget the naysayers who have been selling fear, division and ethnicity,” Kindiki said. “We will give Dr Ruto a second term based on his record.”
Governor Mutuma echoed the call for youth voter registration and encouraged residents to enroll under the SHA to enjoy government-funded health services.
“I appeal to all who have not registered with SHA to register so that we can all have a medical cover,” Mutuma said.
