President William Ruto has broken his silence following the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)’s defeat in the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election on Thursday, July 16.
Speaking on Friday, July 17, in Bungoma, Ruto urged the newly elected Ol Kalou Member of Parliament, Sammy Kamau Waweru, to put politics aside and focus on serving the people.
The President also extended an olive branch to Waweru, saying the election was over and it was time for all leaders to concentrate on delivering development.
Ruto Speaks After UDA Loses Ol Kalou By-Election, Sends Message to New MP
“I want to tell all leaders, including the Member of Parliament who was elected yesterday in Ol Kalou, that now that we have been elected, it is time to get to work,” he said.
The President said elections should not create permanent divisions among Kenyans, stressing that the country belongs to everyone regardless of political affiliation.
Ruto said political competition should be confined to the campaign period, where candidates present their policies, track record and plans to voters, leaving Kenyans to make their choice at the ballot.
Once elections are over, he said, leaders should unite and work together to transform the country rather than continue engaging in political rivalry.
“Once the people have made their decision, all of us should move forward together because our goal as leaders is to ensure that development is achieved, Kenya changes, the lives of citizens improve, and our nation moves forward,” he said.
“What is important is to ensure that the lives of those who elected us improve. We should not be consumed by politics, hatred, theatrics, tribalism, or division.”
Also Read: Sammy Kamau Ngotho of DCP Wins Ol Kalou By-Election
Ruto Says Leaders Will Be Judged by Their Performance in 2027
The Head of State said leaders would ultimately be judged by their performance and the impact they make in the lives of the people they serve when 2027 election comes.
He added that Kenyans are increasingly evaluating leaders based on their track record, vision and plans for the country.
“The people are intelligent. They know that every leader must have a track record, must have a vision, and must have a plan so that we can all work together to transform our country, Kenya,” he said.
The President called on politicians to reject ethnic politics and instead focus on improving the lives of Kenyans.
He also criticized leaders he accused of promoting tribal politics, saying they lacked policies and a clear development agenda.
“They want to unite people along tribal lines. Do not accept people who want to divide us on the basis of ethnicity. They are not the kind of leaders we need. They have no plan. Do they have policies? They have none. That is foolish politics,” he said.
Also Read: Ol Kalou MP-Elect Ngotho Sends Brutal Message to Ruto in His Inaugural Speech
Ol Kalou By-Election Results
The President’s remarks came a day after UDA lost the Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, a contest closely watched as a test of political strength in Nyandarua County.
According to the official results announced by the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) on Friday morning, Kamau garnered 35,440 votes to defeat UDA candidate Samuel Muchina Nyaga, who received 5,450 votes.
Jubilee Party candidate Wilson Kigwa finished third with 198 votes, followed by Stephen Wanyoike Waithaka (NLP) with 103 votes, Timothy Kamau Kariuki (PM) with 51, Edwin Kariiri Muchiri (PNU) with 28, Abdifatah Hussein Abdullahi (FPK) with 19, Edward Mathenge Mwaniki (KMM) with 16, and Rachael Wangui Njoroge (PDP) with 11 votes.
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