President William Ruto on Sunday urged Kenyans to unite and support all leaders elected in the recent by-elections, declaring that leadership is determined by God. His remarks, made during a church service at AIC Milimani, position the election outcomes as a divine mandate for the country's development.

The President's call for unity comes as the nation navigates what he described as "tough but surmountable challenges." By framing political leadership as "godsend," Ruto is urging citizens to look beyond partisan lines and collaborate for the sake of national progress, a message he has consistently pushed following the Kenya Kwanza-ODM alliance's success in the mini-polls.

A Call to Transcend Politics

In his address, President Ruto congratulated all the winners from various political parties and emphasized that no leader assumes office by chance. "It is God who determines leadership," he noted, calling on the public to now play their part in helping the new officeholders deliver on their development agendas. This appeal for a unified front is aimed at accelerating the government's development blueprint, which has seen increased budgetary allocations to key sectors like education.

The President's message of divine ordination in leadership is not new to his political discourse. He has previously described the formation of his broad-based government as a "godsend" that provided the political will to deliver on election promises. However, this stance has drawn criticism, with some analysts and opposition figures arguing that it weakens democratic accountability and overlooks the methods used to secure electoral victories.

• Recent By-Elections: The call for support follows wins for the ruling alliance in several by-elections, which the President interprets as public confidence in his administration.
• Opposition's Stance: Conversely, the opposition has raised concerns about the fairness of these polls, with some vowing to challenge the results in court, citing a "mockery of democracy."
• Analyst Viewpoint: Political observers remain divided, with some suggesting that by-election results are often influenced by local dynamics rather than national sentiment.

The Economic and Social Context

For the average Kenyan, the President's call for unity is set against a backdrop of pressing economic concerns. The administration's focus on large-scale infrastructure projects, such as expanding the road network and constructing mega-dams for irrigation, is pitched as the key to unlocking the country's potential and putting food on the table. The education budget, for instance, has been increased from KES 490 billion to KES 700 billion to improve infrastructure and hire more teachers.

However, critics like former presidential agent Saitabao Kanchory argue that the President's popularity is waning, even if his control over electoral structures remains firm. This division highlights the challenge ahead: convincing a populace grappling with the high cost of living that supporting all elected leaders, regardless of affiliation, is the most viable path to a prosperous future.

As the newly elected leaders settle into office, the nation will be watching to see if this call for divinely-inspired unity translates into tangible progress and eases the economic pressures felt in households across the country.