Omar: Ruto’s Development Spread Causing ‘Fury’ Among Some Supporters

By James Murimi - Reporter

Kenya, 27 May 2026 - United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Secretary General Hassan Omar on Wednesday claimed President William Ruto’s decision to spread development projects across the country had angered some leaders who believe regions that overwhelmingly voted for the President deserve preferential treatment.

Speaking after Eid Ul-Adha prayers at Tononoka Grounds in Mombasa County, Omar said the Kenya Kwanza administration had deliberately shifted development to regions that were historically marginalized and politically sidelined.

“This is the fact that has brought a lot of fury and challenges because there are those who claim that they voted overwhelmingly for William Ruto yet he is taking development to other regions of Kenya,” Omar said.

The UDA Secretary General defended President Ruto’s leadership, saying previously marginalized communities at the Coast and other parts of the country were finally benefiting from government programmes and national resources.

“Us who were previously for many years considered as minority and marginalized groups have now secured the opportunity to tap development from the national government,” he stated.

“But this is the right leadership and bravery and it reflects hope to the people who are down there and left behind.”

Omar said the government had resolved to support neglected regions regardless of how they voted in previous elections.

“So, we have decided to fully support this government,” he said.

“We have seen many parts of Kenya which were previously left behind in terms of development because of being in the opposition getting proceeds of development from their government.”

The UDA Secretary General further defended the Kenya Kwanza administration against accusations of exclusion, insisting all communities had been accommodated in senior government appointments.

“The Kenya Kwanza government has accommodated all communities in terms of representation in various senior positions,” Omar stated.

“We have been able to put in place a strong foundation of development in all parts of the country.”

He cited key projects in Mombasa including the Dongo Kundu Special Economic Zone, affordable housing programmes, improved healthcare facilities, modern markets, road infrastructure and expanded education projects.

Omar’s remarks came amid growing political tensions within the ruling coalition following fierce criticism from Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader Rigathi Gachagua, who accused the UDA Secretary General of promoting divisive politics targeting the Mt Kenya region.

Addressing journalists at the DCP headquarters in Nairobi shortly after returning from the United Kingdom on Monday, the former Deputy President rejected Omar’s apology and accused him of executing a State-backed political scheme ahead of the 2027 General Election.

“We want to reject in total the attempt by Hassan Omar to apologize to the people of Mt Kenya region for inciting Kenyans against them,” Gachagua declared.

“Hassan Omar is just a mouth-piece of William Ruto. Those utterances were discussed at State House Mombasa and everybody was given a script.”

Gachagua alleged Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and other Kenya Kwanza leaders had been deployed to spread divisive rhetoric against Mt Kenya.

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“Hassan Omar was given a script, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi was given a script,” he claimed.

The former Deputy President further accused President Ruto of publicly preaching unity while allegedly tolerating ethnic profiling within his administration.

“William Ruto, you cannot be telling Kenyans that you hate tribalism and divisiveness yet you are the master,” Gachagua charged.

“All these things are being spoken in your presence at your behest.”

The fallout has exposed widening cracks within UDA, with several leaders allied to President Ruto openly distancing themselves from Omar’s remarks and demanding his resignation.

Nyeri Governor Mutahi Kahiga branded Omar “a liability” to the ruling party and the country.

“People like you Hassan Omar, our appointed UDA Secretary General, are a great liability to the party, to Kenyans and to all people of goodwill,” Kahiga wrote on Facebook.

Kirinyaga Governor Anne Waiguru also condemned the remarks, warning against ethnic mobilisation.

“I strongly stand against the Hassan Omar type of ethnic baiting that seeks to isolate the people of Mt Kenya,” Waiguru said.

Nyeri Woman Representative Rahab Mukami equally dismissed Omar’s apology and demanded his resignation.

“Apology not accepted, you must resign,” she posted on Facebook.

The mounting criticism followed a clarification statement issued by Omar on Saturday in which he insisted his remarks had been misunderstood and taken out of context.

“To all those who may have been offended, I sincerely regret the misunderstanding and extend my apology,” Omar stated.

Despite the apology, the controversy continues to deepen political divisions within the ruling coalition as succession politics ahead of the 2027 General Election gather momentum.