'We'll move on!' President Ruto leaves second-term election outcome to God

President William Ruto has weighed in on the ongoing “one-term versus two-term” political debate, expressing confidence that Kenya will hold peaceful, free and fair elections while urging the country to remain focused on unity and development.

Speaking during the National Prayer Breakfast in Nairobi on Thursday, the President said his administration remains committed to steering national transformation in the period leading up to the next general election, stressing that democratic processes will be respected and safeguarded.

“Between now and the next election, we will drive the transformation of this country, and we are going to have elections, and they will be peaceful, and there will be no violence. They will be free and fair because what God has decided no one can change, so relax,” said Ruto.

He went on to frame the question of political outcomes, including his own future in office, as ultimately dependent on divine will, calling on Kenyans to remain calm and avoid divisive politics.

“...people are in a panic... Ile Mungu ameamua ndiyo itafanyika. Kama Mungu ameamua Ruto will get a second term, he will… if He has decided otherwise, that is what will happen, and we will move on as a country,” he said, adding that Kenyans should “relax” and trust in the country’s democratic institutions.

He dismissed attempts to sow division ahead of the polls, warning that efforts to destabilise national unity would fail.

“Those who believe they will divide this country, they will not succeed… they will fail and fail spectacularly,” he said.

Ruto reiterated that Kenya remains on a stable development path, urging citizens to maintain confidence in the country’s direction. The President also expressed pride in his Kenyan identity, saying he would still choose to be born in Kenya if given another chance.

 “Hii nchi iko sawa. Itasonga mbele, Kenya itafaulu. We are a great nation, good people. If I were given a chance to choose which nationality to be born, I would want to be born a Kenyan, ” he said.