President William Ruto has called on Kenyans to put the country first and avoid political divisions, following a bruising by-election in Ol Kalou that saw his party lose by a wide margin.
Speaking at State House on Friday during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, the President said the outcome of any single contest should not be allowed to threaten national peace or the direction of the country.
"There will be Kenya after the election, and we must live together as brothers and sisters of one nation," Ruto said.
His remarks came just a day after the Democratic Congress Party candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru won the Ol Kalou parliamentary seat in a landslide. Waweru defeated United Democratic Alliance candidate Samuel Muchina Nyagah in a result that has been read as a signal of shifting political winds in the Mt Kenya region. The DCP victory has boosted the opposition’s profile in an area that has been key to UDA’s support base.
Ruto did not dwell on the loss itself. Instead he used the meeting to remind leaders that elections come and go, and that leaders must not turn political competition into hostility.
"The most important thing is to ensure that the lives of the people who vote for us improve. We want to take this country forward," he said.
The President cautioned against ethnic mobilization and rhetoric that deepens fault lines. He argued that the responsibility of elected leaders is to bring people together, not to pull them apart for political gain.
"Once an election is over, we must remember that this country belongs to all of us," Ruto said. He stressed that with the 2027 General Election approaching, the political temperature will rise, but leaders must guard against language and actions that could fracture the nation.
The State House meeting with Bungoma leaders was also an opportunity for the President to outline development projects his administration is rolling out in western Kenya. He said the government has committed Sh30 billion to affordable housing in Bungoma, and that 15 modern markets are under construction across the county. He also pointed to an Sh8 billion Level 6 referral hospital that is being set up to improve access to specialized health services.
On infrastructure, Ruto said plans are advanced to extend the Rironi–Mau Summit highway all the way to Eldoret, Bungoma and the Malaba border. He argued that better roads will cut transport costs, open up markets for farmers, and attract investment to the region.
Health was another focus. The President defended the Social Health Authority, saying it is already changing how families access medical care. According to Ruto, 32 million Kenyans have been registered under SHA, and the scheme is reducing out-of-pocket expenses.
"When you go to villages, there are testimonies of people whose medical bills have been paid for by SHA," he said.
The Ol Kalou by-election has become a talking point in political circles because of the margin of victory and what it could mean ahead of 2027. DCP’s win in a seat previously seen as competitive has energized opposition leaders, who say it reflects dissatisfaction with the current administration. For UDA, the loss is a reminder that political ground cannot be taken for granted, even in regions considered friendly.
Ruto’s message on Friday appeared aimed at lowering that temperature. He urged leaders across the political divide to shift attention from campaigns to service delivery. He said Kenyans are more concerned with jobs, food prices, health care and business opportunities than with political fights.
The President’s appeal for unity comes at a time when political realignments are already taking shape. Parties are testing strength in by-elections, leaders are making early tours, and conversations about alliances for 2027 have begun in earnest.
