President William Ruto has thrown down the gauntlet to the United Opposition, challenging them to produce a coherent alternative agenda for Kenya rather than obsessing over his removal from office.

Speaking with the confidence of a leader who controls the machinery of the state, Ruto dismissed his rivals as lacking the "intellectual capacity" to craft a viable plan for the nation. His remarks, delivered during the launch of the Nyota funds in Mombasa, were designed to paint the opposition as aimless agitators. "Bring your alternative agenda for Kenyans to compare," he taunted, framing the 2027 contest not as a personality clash, but as a competition of ideas—one he believes he is winning by default.

"They Have No Brain"

The President’s language was unusually sharp. "They don't have a youth agenda, they have no policy... We know their intellectual capacity," he declared. This narrative strategy is clear: define the opposition by their silence on policy. By demanding they "table their plan," Ruto is highlighting the fractures within the Azimio coalition, which has struggled to articulate a unified vision beyond opposing the Finance Bill and the government’s tax measures.

Ruto touted his own achievements—affordable housing, the NYOTA programme, digital jobs—as tangible evidence of his plan in action. Whether these projects are delivering on the ground is a matter of debate, but in the rhetorical war, he is firing live rounds while the opposition appears to be firing blanks.

• The Challenge: Ruto demands the opposition publish their alternative governing manifesto.
• The Attack: Claims the opposition lacks the "intellectual capacity" to lead.
• The Defense: Cites his own record on housing and youth employment as the benchmark.

The Vacuum

The President’s critique strikes a nerve because it contains a kernel of truth. Since the election, the opposition has reacted to government policy rather than proactively proposing alternatives. Ruto is exploiting this vacuum, positioning himself as the only man with a plan, however controversial that plan may be.

The Road to 2027

As the political temperature rises ahead of the next election cycle, Ruto is setting the terms of engagement. He wants a policy debate because he believes he can dominate the data. The opposition must now decide whether to take the bait and produce a manifesto, or continue their strategy of capitalizing on public discontent.

"You cannot beat a plan with noise," Ruto seemed to say. "You need a better plan."