Ruto Attacks Sifuna Over Affordable Housing, Warns Electing Opposition Would Be ‘Kenya’s Biggest Accident’
The President said such positions ignore Kenya’s future. He argued that by 2050, nearly 60 per cent of Kenya’s population will be living in urban areas, making investment in decent urban housing unavoidable.
Photo:Courtesy.
By Robert Mutasi
President William Ruto has launched a scathing attack on opposition leaders, and in particular Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna, over criticism of his Affordable Housing Programme, warning that electing the opposition in 2027 would be “the biggest accident” to befall the country.
Speaking during a roadside rally in Busia on Sunday after attending the consecration of the fourth Bishop of the ACK Church, Katakwa Diocese in Amagoro, the President dismissed opposition leaders as lacking any coherent agenda for the country beyond slogans and personal attacks.
Ruto singled out Senator Sifuna, who has emerged as one of his fiercest critics, for opposing the Affordable Housing Programme and sarcastically questioning the practicality of keeping chickens in high-rise apartments.
“Someone is saying it is impossible to take a chicken to the 12th floor. Is it better to take your chicken to the 12th floor or continue living in slums? How heavy is that chicken?” Ruto posed, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Sifuna, the former ODM Secretary General who has taken the country by storm and is now seen as a potential challenger for the top seat in 2027, has argued that Kenyans need better healthcare, education and other basic services before investing in large-scale housing projects. Over the weekend, he held massive rallies in Trans Nzoia and Bungoma counties, vowing to send Ruto home.
The President said such positions ignore Kenya’s future. He argued that by 2050, nearly 60 per cent of Kenya’s population will be living in urban areas, making investment in decent urban housing unavoidable.
“That is why we are investing in affordable housing so that Kenyans can have decent living conditions in our cities. Someone is saying people should continue living in slums. Does that person really have brains?” he asked.
Ruto accused the opposition of pledging to reverse key Kenya Kwanza flagship programmes, including the Affordable Housing Programme, the new university funding model and the Social Health Authority (SHA), without offering viable alternatives.
“Some people are telling us there is no need to build roads, markets or affordable housing. I want to tell these people to use their brains,” he said. “Those people are an existential threat to the Republic of Kenya. They will be a major accident for this country. Beyond saying ‘Wantam’, ‘Kasongo’ and ‘Must Go’, do they have an agenda?”
He added: “Those people competing with me have no agenda. The biggest thing they have done is give me the nickname ‘Kasongo.’ They do not know how roads are built. They do not understand affordable housing or how our children are learning.”
Defending his record, Ruto cited reforms in agriculture, education and healthcare. He said the government had recruited more teachers and ensured adequate funding for university and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) students regardless of background.
“We have laid a firm foundation for our country. Every child going to university, TVET or college will receive sufficient funding irrespective of their background,” he said.
On health, the President said 32 million Kenyans have already registered under SHA, which replaced the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF). He announced that 7,500 Universal Health Coverage workers will be employed on permanent and pensionable terms and unveiled a new equipment financing model where counties will receive hospital equipment worth up to Sh1.5 billion without upfront payment.
“The equipment will be paid for through SHA after services are provided. This month alone, we have released Sh12 billion to hospitals, an amount that under NHIF would have taken six months to disburse,” he said.
He also listed regional projects including ongoing road construction, extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba and construction of a stadium in Busia as part of 33 stadiums nationwide.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi rallied support for the President, saying Kenya Kwanza remains united. “We are firm with President Ruto. Others may be making noise, but in 2027 he will win and he will win without a petition,” Mudavadi said.
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