President William Ruto's allies have stepped up efforts to defend his bid for a second term, with Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale dismissing the growing one-term campaign as a political agenda driven by tribalism, hatred and selfish interests rather than a fair assessment of the government's performance.
Speaking on Wednesday during a meeting between President William Ruto and Muslim religious leaders at State House, Nairobi, Duale said the Kenya Kwanza administration should be judged by its record in delivering development and promoting national inclusivity instead of political slogans ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Addressing the President, the Cabinet Secretary criticised those calling for Ruto to serve only one five-year term, saying their position was rooted in ethnic politics instead of an objective review of what the administration had achieved.
"Because of tribalism, selfishness and hatred, you hear some people say Ruto should serve for one term. Kenya belongs to all of us," Duale said.
Muslim Sheikhs during a meeting with President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi on August 5, 2026. PHOTO/PCS
He said the prayers offered by Muslim religious leaders for President Ruto to complete two terms reflected what they believed was best for the country.
Duale maintained that Kenya's leadership should be measured by its ability to unite the country and ensure development reaches every region, adding that the current administration had worked to ensure that no part of the country was left behind.
He also argued that President Ruto should be given the same opportunity to seek a second term as previous Heads of State.
"Jomo Kenyatta served for 15 years, Daniel arap Moi served for 24 years, Mwai Kibaki served for 10 years and Uhuru Kenyatta also served for 10 years. We say, when the morning comes, you cannot hide with your palm," he said.
The Health Cabinet Secretary defended the government's development agenda, saying it had focused on the fair distribution of national resources and the rollout of major infrastructure projects across the country.
He pointed to projects such as the Isiolo-Mandera Highway, the Rironi-Mau Summit Road and the planned extension of the Standard Gauge Railway to Malaba as examples of the administration's efforts to promote balanced development and national inclusivity.
Duale's remarks come as political campaigns begin to gather momentum ahead of the 2027 General Election, with leaders allied to President Ruto increasingly defending his record while positioning him for another term in office.
Calls for President Ruto to serve only one term have become a key message among opposition leaders as political realignments continue to take shape ahead of the next election.
Leaders in the United Opposition, including former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, People's Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, DAP-Kenya leader Eugene Wamalwa and Jubilee Party, have repeatedly urged Kenyans to support a one-term campaign, arguing that the country needs a change of leadership after the next General Election.
Duale, however, insisted that Kenyans should judge President Ruto on his government's record in development, infrastructure and national inclusivity rather than what he described as politics built around tribal divisions and partisan interests.