Ruto rejects divisive politics, emphasises unity in governance
By Faith Lagat, August 31, 2025President William Ruto, on Sunday, August 31, 2025, reaffirmed his commitment to national unity and the rejection of divisive politics during a visit to St Peter’s ACK Cathedral.
Addressing the congregation, the President declared, “Katika safari tumekubaliana ya kwamba siasa ya zamani ya ubaguzi, ya kugawanya watu, ya mirengo na ukabila, tumeifutilia mbali sisi tunaunganisha taifa letu la Kenya liwe moja, maendeleo tunafanya in all counties.”
The statement underscored his vision for a united country where development is shared equally across all regions, moving away from the historical politics of tribalism and factionalism.
The visit drew the presence of leaders from across the political divide, including Cabinet Secretaries John Mbadi and Opiyo Wandayi, Governor James Orengo, Senator Oburu Odinga, and MPs Samuel Atandi (Alego Usonga), Elisha Odhiambo (Gem), and Tindi Mwale (Butere).
Anti-corruption drive
The event reflected the spirit of the March 7, 2025, Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), which focuses on inclusivity, national cohesion, and joint governance priorities.
Butere MP Tindi Mwale, who chairs the Public Accounts Committee, vowed to back both President Ruto and ODM leader Raila Odinga in the war on corruption. “As chair of public accounts, we are supporting Baba Raila and Ruto to fight corruption. Show us the corrupt individuals, and we will help you fight the menace,” he said.
This comes in the wake of recent government actions, including the cancellation of licenses for 1,000 hospitals implicated in misappropriating public funds.
The President has consistently emphasised accountability, warning during Katiba Day celebrations at KICC that bribery within the Judiciary undermines the Constitution. He has also reiterated in Kapsabet that no individual will be spared in the fight against graft, regardless of status.
Unity in Siaya
Beyond governance, the President’s visit was marked by the launch of development projects in water and market infrastructure, in line with the broader goals of the UDA-ODM pact. Governor Orengo used the platform to announce the upcoming Siaya International Trade and Investment Conference (SITICO 2025), scheduled for October 14–17, aimed at positioning the county as a regional economic hub.
Leaders present echoed the unity call, with MP Atandi affirming ODM’s long-term partnership with the government and Odhiambo openly rooting for Ruto’s re-election in 2027 to ensure continuity of development projects.
The church service, themed around unity, offered a symbolic backdrop to the message of reconciliation and inclusivity. The event signalled a stronger push for bipartisan cooperation, with leaders vowing to put the interests of Kenyans above political divisions.