President William Ruto has accused former President Uhuru Kenyatta of deceiving him over their political partnership, describing his predecessor as a "conman" as he opened a development tour of the North Rift on Monday and urged his Rift Valley support base to deliver more votes in the 2027 General Election.

Speaking at rallies in Nandi and Uasin Gishu counties on Monday, 12 October, the President said Mr Kenyatta had walked away from an understanding that each of them would serve ten years in office, with the other backing him. Citizen Digital reported that the remarks came at the start of a ten-day development tour of the region, during which the President also visited Tinderet, Aldai, Moiben and Soy constituencies.

"You conned me"

Addressing Mr Kenyatta directly, the President recalled his support for the former Head of State in previous elections. "I, William Ruto, voted for you four times," he said, according to Capital FM. "You conned me. You said 10 years of Uhuru, 10 years of Ruto."

He went on to say that when the time came for Mr Kenyatta to stand with him, the former President instead avoided him and told Kenyans not to vote for him. In Swahili, Dr Ruto described Mr Kenyatta as "mtapeli mkubwa sana", a very big conman, Citizen Digital reported.

"You are the most ungrateful and deceitful character I have ever met." — President William Ruto, as quoted by the Nation

The President also asked his predecessor to step away from active politics. "My friend, please, retire. Stop the con artistry," he said, according to Capital FM. Citizen Digital quoted him as saying, "Please Mr. Kenyatta, give us a break," as he rejected Mr Kenyatta's criticism of the government's handling of the economy and education.

Mr Kenyatta backed the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga in the 2022 presidential race, which Dr Ruto won. Their relationship soured during Mr Kenyatta's second term, the Nation noted.

Warning to the opposition

Dr Ruto extended his accusations to Mr Kenyatta's past and present allies, alleging that the former President had also betrayed Mr Odinga, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i. He cautioned opposition figures now working with Mr Kenyatta that they could suffer the same fate, Citizen Digital reported.

He dismissed his rivals' efforts to coalesce ahead of the next election. "My competitors have no substance whether they unite or not," he said, according to the Nation, adding that the broad-based arrangement between his administration and ODM would continue beyond 2027.

Call for one million more votes

In Nandi, the President asked residents to help him secure an additional one million votes, urging those without national identity cards to obtain them and register as voters. "The presidential seat is won through votes and as my people, I don't want you to let me down," he said, as reported by the Nation.

Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen also urged residents to acquire identity cards and said the government planned to launch digital birth certificates during Mashujaa Day celebrations. Kapsaret MP Oscar Sudi, who accompanied the President, dismissed claims by rivals about their voting strength, saying Dr Ruto's support base remained firm, according to Citizen Digital.

Other leaders struck different notes. Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot said Mr Kenyatta should allow the current administration to govern, while Uasin Gishu Senator Jackson Mandago cautioned politicians against using the President's visit to settle scores, the Nation reported.

Projects on the tour

Alongside the political messaging, the President announced and launched several projects. According to the Nation, he said Ksh20 billion had been set aside for 350 kilometres of roads in Nandi County, and highlighted a Ksh280 million modern market at Kaptumo. In Aldai, he referred to a Ksh2.5 billion last-mile electricity project targeting 23,000 households, while Ksh500 million was earmarked for hostels and infrastructure at Moiben TVET College in Uasin Gishu.

Mr Kenyatta had not publicly responded to the remarks by the time of publication, and none of the reports reviewed carried a reaction from his office.

What next

The President is expected to continue the North Rift tour in the coming days. Both Dr Ruto and Mr Kenyatta are expected to attend the first anniversary commemoration of Mr Odinga's death in Bondo, Siaya County, on Thursday, Citizen Digital reported.

Photos: Government of Kenya / Wikimedia Commons, public domain; UK Government (Simon Walker / HM Treasury) / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0