Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party Secretary General Cleophas Malala is boosting the Kenya Kwanza administration supporters’ hopes that President William Ruto is poised to extend his most important political breakthrough come 2027.

Speaking during an interview with a local radio station, Malala maintained that the Head of State will have no potential competitor in the next general election claiming that his advantage will also be spurred by kept pledges.

According to Malala the only warning sign that Ruto would lose reelection is if he fails to keep his pledges. Still, he maintains he is determined to fulfil all his campaign promises -naming some progress including falling food and fuel prices.

“If our plan will be implemented to the letter -and I know Ruto will implement our manifesto -nobody will challenge Ruto in 2027,” Malala stated asking for Kenyas to be patient and remain optimistic.

Malala’s statement comes amid ongoing succession politics where a section of Mt Kenya leaders fronted Kiharu Member of Parliament (MP) Ndindi Nyoro and Interior Cabinet Secretary (CS) Kithure Kindiki as the best candidates to succeed Deputy Rigathi Gachagua in 2027.

Speaking on the issue, Ruto on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, termed the succession debate an insult to Kenyans and instead asked the leaders to focus on what Kenyans elected them to do.

He particularly pointed out that leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza regime should be at the forefront of discharging their mandated roles, adding that they should step down any contestations for whichever positions present or future so that they can work as a team.

“Badala ya kufanya kazi tumerudi kupanga mambo ya siasa ya huko mbele. Mimi nataka niwaulize jameni all leaders, I want to tell all leaders it will be an insult to the people of Kenya that instead of delivering on their assignments given to us by the people of Kenya, we have a very cut-out assignment on matters of transformation of Kenya, how to create jobs, how to expand our food production and ensure that every citizen has access to universal health.

“Let me ask all leaders that we focus our attention on the delivery of the assignment given to us by the people of Kenya, especially, leaders in Kenya Kwanza and UDA. I want to ask them to step down any contestations for whatever positions present or future so that we can work together, focus on delivering to the people of Kenya and ensure that we keep our promise to the people of Kenya so that we can discharge our commitment and the people of Kenya can see us for who we are, leaders who are looking into the future,’ Ruto said.

Further, the president urged young leaders to quit the rush for top-seat positions instead of focusing on the current roles Kenyans elected them to undertake. He, however, assured them that together with his deputy, he would mentor them to become great leaders who can take charge when the time is ripe.