Teargas and scenes of commotion on Tuesday punctuated William Ruto’s tour of Dagoretti South and Dagoretti North, where he inspected several development projects before concluding the visit with a roadside rally.
At the rally, the Head of State reaffirmed that there would be no retreat from the pre-election cooperation talks between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) and Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), dismissing opposition from the Linda Mwananchi faction. President Ruto also took aim at the United Opposition, accusing it of exploiting ethnic divisions for political gain.
Tension briefly escalated when a group of youths attending the rally partially blocked the presidential motorcade, forcing the procession to stall momentarily. As the convoy made multiple stops across Dagoretti South and North, it struggled to maintain momentum, with the President at times signaling for the motorcade to move on. His security detail appeared visibly strained as officers pushed back surging crowds eager to catch a glimpse of the Head of State.
During the tour, President Ruto inspected development works at Mutuini Hospital, commissioned a new workshop block at PC Kinyanjui TTI, toured ongoing construction at Riruta Modern Market, and inaugurated a new tuition block at Kawangware Primary School in Dagoretti North.
The President also announced that plans for a new international airport mark the beginning of Kenya’s so-called “Singapore dream.”
“Tumetangaza leo kwamba ujenzi wa uwanja mpya wa ndege unaanza kabla ya mwezi wa sita,” President Ruto said.
Standing firm on the UDA–ODM talks, he added:
“Sisi tutaendelea kuwa pamoja kwenye broad-based ili tulete Wakenya pamoja, hao wengine hawana sera, ni siasa za chuki na ukabila.”
Several Nairobi MPs publicly backed the cooperation framework. Dagoretti North MP Beatrice Elachi said ODM would continue working with the President, while Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie praised the President for aligning words with action.
Ruaraka MP TJ Kajwang noted that ODM’s Parliamentary Group had approved engagement with UDA, and Lang’ata MP Felix Odiwuor emphasized that Kenyans desire unity and prosperity.
President Ruto and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja also defended the cooperation agreement between the national and county governments, saying it would enhance service delivery for city residents.
“Tumetoa Ksh.80 billion kwa kaunti ya Nairobi ili tumalize shida za takataka, ukosefu wa maji safi na kadhalika,” President Ruto stated.
Governor Sakaja added that the agreement is aimed at improving the delivery of essential services to Nairobi residents.
