Ruto expresses concern over low voter registration in Rift Valley stronghold

President William Ruto has expressed disappointment over the low voter registration numbers from his Rift Valley stronghold and the Kalenjin community following the recently concluded Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) exercise.

Ruto said it is a major setback, noting he is crisscrossing the country seeking support while his base appears reluctant to register and turn out to vote.

He revealed that 1.8 million eligible voters with IDs have not registered, alongside another 500,000 youth who recently turned 18.

“We have 1.8 million Kalenjins here who have IDs but have not registered. Another 500,000 aged 18 have also not registered,” he said.

President Ruto, alongside other government leaders, had attended the burial of the late Edwin Koech, father of Transport Cabinet Secretary Davis Chirchir, in Kipketii, Bomet County.

The President termed it a heavy political burden to seek support elsewhere while his own stronghold lags behind, urging residents to register in large numbers and secure his second-term bid in 2027.

“You’re giving me a tough job, struggling to seek support elsewhere while I have people back home. No, it shouldn’t be like this,” Ruto stated.

Despite criticism from the opposition that the government is not efficient, President Ruto defended his track record, dismissing critics and maintaining that neither negative headlines nor social media narratives will shake his resolve.

“Reports ni nyingi, headlines ni nyingi lakini ukweli huwezi kuficha. Unaweza kuandika vitu vingi lakini ukweli ni kwamba we have changed this country,” said the president.

National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said he had seen media coverage criticising the President’s spending but defended his development record.

“I saw another day a newspaper screaming with a headline, President Ruto spending more money than President Uhuru, President Kibaki. What they have not mentioned is that you have traversed this country more than all our previous presidents put together. You can only develop this country equitably if you know what your people need,” Wetangula stated

Kimani Ichung’wah said critics cannot ignore ongoing developments in the country.

“When I listen to the pessimists, they cannot ignore that something is happening in Kenya. What they are disputing is the figures,” hr said.

The late Mzee Edwin Koech was eulogised as a community pillar.

Davis Chirchir said his father was a man who prioritised education and championed development in Kipketii, Bomet County.