President William Ruto has pledged Sh20 million to support the construction of the Kisumu Jamia Mosque, responding to calls from Muslim leaders for a modern place of worship in the city.
Speaking on Friday, March 20, 2026, during the Idd-ul-Fitr luncheon at Kisumu State Lodge, Ruto said the funds would serve as a starting amount, with additional fundraising to be organised by the community and government officials.
“You have said that we should build a mosque called Jamia. I will give you twenty million as a starting amount. After that, you will organise another fundraising effort to help push this matter forward,” he said.
He added that Muslim Cabinet Secretaries would be involved in mobilising more resources. “I have Muslims in my cabinet; I will send them here so they can take part in the fundraising, so that we can support the construction of the mosque until it is completed,” Ruto stated.
The event, which marked the end of Ramadan, was attended by political and religious leaders including Junet Mohamed, Anyang’ Nyong’o, Raymond Omollo, Opiyo Wandayi, Rozaah Buyu, Joshua Oron, Shakeel Shabbir, and Gladys Wanga.
Residents joined the celebrations, calling for peaceful coexistence and unity across religious lines. Speakers emphasised the need to overcome differences and strengthen communal harmony.
Ruto addressed critics, saying his focus is on development rather than politics. Speaking at a church service on December 14, 2025, in Gatundu North, Kiambu County, he said:
“Hiyo kazi yote ninafanya sio kutafuta kura. Mimi nimepita kiwango ya kutafuta kura. Mimi nataka kubadilsha Kenya. That is my mission.”
He added that the mandate he received in the 2022 elections is enough to guide his work, urging Kenyans not to dwell on politics. “Kwa sababu kama ni kura, si mlinipigia 2022, ama namna gani? Si hiyo kura mlinipigia inatosha niwafanyie hii kazi? Watu wasisumbuke na mambo ya kura. Kura itakuja baadaye, na mungu ndiye ataamua. Na hao wananchi ndio kusema,” he said.
The president stressed that leaders should be judged by results, warning that those who rely on noise and insults without delivering work should step aside.
“Na kila mtu apimwe kwa hii kura na kazi yake. Mtu ya kungethia na makelele na mamatusi na nini apelekwe nyumbani mbio mbio,” he said.
During the event, Oburu Oginga raised concerns about recurring floods in Kisumu, noting that the problem is often treated as an emergency due to poor planning. He also reaffirmed ODM’s support for the broad-based government partnership with UDA ahead of the 2027 elections, urging unity among partners.
“We are sitting down here with power. How can I leave power to go and look for shareholders? People who are dividing this country through shareholding?” he asked.