President William Ruto has drawn the battle lines for the 2027 General Election. At the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret he declared there would be "no retreat, no surrender".

Speaking at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Uasin Gishu County on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, the President signalled that he will defend his record and push on with his agenda despite growing pressure from a regrouping opposition. Nation reported that he also said no government is above criticism.

Records, not tribes

Ruto argued that the 2027 contest should turn on records and policy plans rather than ethnic alliances and personal attacks. He said the political transition that began in 2022 must not be reversed.

The phrase is a familiar one for Ruto. He used it in August 2021, when then-President Uhuru Kenyatta asked him to resign as Deputy President, saying he had no room to retreat and no luxury to surrender.

Measures to win over voters

The speech came with a package of economic promises aimed at households squeezed by the cost of living:

- A proposal to exempt workers earning Sh32,333 a month or less from PAYE.
- A stamp duty exemption for land transactions worth Sh1 million or less.
- Removal of the 25 per cent import duty on mobile phones.
- A farm-gate milk price of Sh65 a litre, plus a quarterly bonus of Sh2 a litre.

He directed the National Treasury to table the tax proposals in Parliament next week.

Opposition regroups

The message was delivered as opposition leaders step up their own manoeuvres. On the same day, former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua hosted Senator Edwin Sifuna and the Linda Mwananchi team at Wamunyoro to discuss a joint 2027 ticket.

Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was the chief guest at the celebrations. During the event Ruto also launched The Price of Freedom, a biography of freedom fighter Achieng' Oneko.

The General Election is scheduled for 10 August 2027.

Photos: Eastleigh Voice; Kenyans.co.ke