President William Ruto has defended his administration's development agenda, saying the government's priority is to deliver transformative infrastructure projects while urging Kenyans to reject divisive politics.
Speaking at State House on Friday, the President illustrated that development requires vision and commitment, dismissing critics who have questioned the government's ability to implement major projects.
"Building requires intelligence; even a foolish person can demolish. Some people say anyone can build a stadium, but if that were true, it would have been built a long time ago," the Head of State stressed.
Ruto also called on Kenyans to support the government's development agenda, saying the focus should remain on building the country rather than engaging in politics that divide communities.
The President highlighted that development projects being implemented across the country demonstrate the government's commitment to improving infrastructure and expanding economic opportunities.
He maintained that building major public facilities requires planning, resources and sustained leadership, saying criticism alone cannot deliver development.
The President also pointed to ongoing road infrastructure projects as evidence that the government's development programme is being implemented despite scepticism from some political leaders.
Referring to the expansion of the road corridor through Nakuru, the President explained that the progress made on the project contradicted earlier claims that little or no work would be undertaken.
"We will transform this country. Those of you who have travelled along the road through Nakuru, there was someone who claimed that not even a wheelbarrow would be there. Is the project progressing or isn't it?" he asked, pointing to the Rironi-Mau Summit road that its construction is ongoing.
The President elaborated that the road project illustrates the administration's determination to complete key infrastructure programmes intended to improve connectivity and stimulate economic growth.
He further argued that tangible development should remain the basis on which the government is assessed, rather than political rhetoric.
The Head of State also appealed for national cohesion, warning against leaders seeking to divide Kenyans on ethnic grounds as the country moves towards the 2027 General Election.
He urged citizens to embrace unity and support development initiatives regardless of political competition.
"Do not allow those who want to divide you along ethnic lines. Even the Member of Parliament elected in Ol Kalou yesterday has been chosen; now let us get back to work."
The President's remarks came after the declaration of the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election results, in which Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru was elected Member of Parliament.
The by-election was held following the death of area MP David Njuguna Kiaraho in March 2026. Waweru secured 35,440 votes to defeat United Democratic Alliance (UDA) candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah, who garnered 5,450 votes, giving the DCP candidate a winning margin of 29,990 votes.
The by-election attracted candidates from the Jubilee Party, several smaller parties and independent candidates, but was widely viewed as a political contest between the ruling United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the opposition-backed Democracy for the Citizens Party (DCP) ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Without dwelling on the outcome of the contest, Ruto attributed that the focus should now shift from election campaigns to delivering services and implementing development programmes for citizens.
His comments reinforce the Kenya Kwanza administration's message that infrastructure development, economic transformation and national unity remain central to its agenda.
The President reiterated that the government's priority is to continue implementing projects across the country while encouraging Kenyans to reject divisive politics and support efforts aimed at improving livelihoods through sustained investment in roads, public infrastructure and other development initiatives.