President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to reject tribal politics and embrace national unity, saying ethnic divisions undermine development and economic transformation. Speaking during a church service at Full Gospel Church Gatunduri in Manyatta Constituency, Embu County, the President maintained that no leader would be allowed to divide the country along tribal lines. He stressed that his administration’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) is anchored on inclusivity, equal opportunities, and shared prosperity for all Kenyans regardless of their ethnic background.
The President described tribal politics as an obstacle to national progress, arguing that meaningful development can only be achieved when citizens work together towards common goals. He urged Kenyans to ignore politicians who thrive on ethnic divisions, saying the country’s future depends on unity rather than political rhetoric. According to President Ruto, voters should judge leaders based on their development record and delivery of services instead of inflammatory statements aimed at creating political divisions.
Addressing claims that certain leaders delivered the Mt Kenya vote during the 2022 General Election, President Ruto dismissed the assertions, insisting that he personally campaigned across the region and directly sought the support of residents. He reminded congregants that he visited Embu and other parts of the region to present his development agenda, emphasizing that Kenyans independently made their electoral choices based on the vision he presented.
The President highlighted the achievements recorded under the BETA programme over the past three and a half years, particularly in education. He noted that the government has recruited 100,000 teachers, constructed 23,000 classrooms for junior and senior secondary schools, and reformed higher education financing to improve access. He further announced that the education sector has received a historic allocation of KSh784 billion in the current financial year, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to ensuring quality education remains an equal opportunity for every Kenyan.
On healthcare, President Ruto said the Social Health Authority (SHA) has registered more than 31 million Kenyans since its launch in October 2024, significantly expanding access to affordable healthcare. He commended Embu County for ranking among the top five counties in SHA registration, with 72 per cent of residents enrolled. The President added that hospitals in the county have received KSh2.5 billion in reimbursements over the past 20 months, while national funding for essential medicines in public hospitals has increased from KSh13 billion to KSh19 billion in the 2026/27 financial year.
The Head of State also underscored the impact of the Affordable Housing Programme, one of the flagship pillars of the BETA agenda. He said the initiative is driving construction of affordable housing units, modern markets, and student hostels across the country while creating employment for nearly 700,000 Kenyans. Beyond housing, the programme continues to stimulate local manufacturing, expand the construction sector, and strengthen economic activity through increased demand for locally produced building materials.
President Ruto further outlined progress in infrastructure and agriculture, noting that KSh350 billion has been mobilised through the National Infrastructure Fund to finance major development projects by leveraging private investment. In agriculture, he cited lower fertiliser prices and successful coffee sector reforms that have nearly tripled farmers’ earnings in Embu, where coffee cherry prices have risen from about KSh60 per kilogram in 2022 to between KSh140 and KSh150. He also pointed to growth in the dairy sector, with Kenya’s annual milk production increasing from 4.5 billion litres in 2022 to 5.4 billion litres, making the country Africa’s leading milk producer.
Leaders from Embu County praised the government’s development agenda, saying the BETA programme is delivering tangible benefits through improved infrastructure, healthcare, and economic opportunities. Governor Cecily Mbarire said the county has witnessed the construction of 300 kilometres of tarmac roads within three years, alongside plans for a KSh1 billion Level Five Hospital to be built with support from the Italian government. Local leaders reaffirmed their support for President Ruto’s development agenda, expressing confidence that the BETA programme remains central to Kenya’s long-term economic transformation and national prosperity.
