President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to safeguard the country's unity during election periods, warning that political competition should never divide the nation. He said elections are temporary, but the need for citizens to live together peacefully remains long after the vote.
Speaking at State House, Nairobi, on Friday during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, the President urged politicians to avoid ethnic politics and instead focus on bringing Kenyans together.
"There will be Kenya after the election, and we must live together as brothers and sisters of one nation," Ruto said.
He said elections should never be treated as a matter of life and death, adding that leaders have a responsibility to promote national cohesion instead of deepening divisions for political gain.
"Once an election is over, we must remember that this country belongs to all of us," he said.
The President also challenged leaders, including newly elected Ol Kalou MP Sammy Kamau Waweru, to concentrate on improving the lives of the people who elected them, saying development would remain the true measure of leadership.
"The most important thing is to ensure that the lives of the people who vote for us improve," he said.
Ruto said Kenya's progress depends on continued investment in development projects and urged citizens to support leaders with practical plans that can grow the economy and improve livelihoods.
"We want to take this country forward," he said.
President William Ruto at State House, Nairobi interacting with delegates from Bungoma County on July 17, 2026.
PHOTO/PCS
He reaffirmed his administration's commitment to equitable development, saying every region would benefit from government programmes.
"We have the means to transform every part of Kenya," the President said.
Highlighting ongoing projects in Bungoma County, Ruto said the government had invested Sh30 billion in affordable housing, including the construction of an 18,000-unit smart city in Bungoma town, alongside 15 modern markets and hostels.
He added that Sh8 billion had been secured for the construction of a Level 6 hospital in Bungoma to improve access to quality healthcare.
The President also announced that the Rironi-Mau Summit road project would be extended to Eldoret, Bungoma and the Malaba border to improve transport and open up more economic opportunities for the region.
On agriculture, Ruto said reforms in the sugar sector had led to better payments for farmers and factory workers.
He also defended the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the programme had registered 32 million Kenyans and was helping more people access healthcare services.
"When you go to villages, there are testimonies of people whose medical bills have been paid for by SHA," he said.
Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa said SHA was performing better than the former National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF), adding that Bungoma residents had welcomed the government's development agenda.
Speaking on behalf of professionals in the delegation, Flora Fedha pointed to the ongoing construction of the Rironi-Mau Summit road as proof of the government's commitment to improving infrastructure.
"Whether they like it or not, they will recognise you for your work," she said.