By Brian Kiprono - Reporter
Kenya, July 17, 2026 - President William Ruto has appealed for national unity following the fiercely contested Ol Kalou parliamentary by-election, urging Kenyans to resist political divisions as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.
Speaking at State House on Friday during a meeting with grassroots leaders from Bungoma County led by Kimilili MP Didmus Barasa, the President said elections should never undermine the country's peace or future, regardless of who wins or loses.
"There will be Kenya after the election, and we must live together as brothers and sisters of one nation," Ruto said.
Without directly dwelling on his party's heavy defeat in the Ol Kalou by-election, the President stressed that political contests are temporary and should not be treated as "a matter of life and death".
His remarks came a day after Democratic Congress Party (DCP) candidate Sammy Douglas Kamau Waweru secured a landslide victory over the United Democratic Alliance (UDA)'s Samuel Muchina Nyagah, a result widely viewed as a significant boost for the opposition party's growing influence in the Mt Kenya region.
Ruto challenged political leaders to shift their focus from campaign rivalry to improving the lives of ordinary Kenyans.
"The most important thing is to ensure that the lives of the people who vote for us improve," he said. "We want to take this country forward."
The President warned against ethnic politics, saying leaders have a responsibility to unite the country rather than deepen divisions.
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"Once an election is over, we must remember that this country belongs to all of us," he said.
He also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to equitable development across the country, highlighting several government projects in Bungoma County, including Sh30 billion invested in affordable housing, the construction of 15 modern markets, and an Sh8 billion Level 6 hospital.
Ruto added that the planned extension of the Rironi–Mau Summit highway to Eldoret, Bungoma and the Malaba border would improve transport and stimulate economic growth in western Kenya.
On healthcare, the President defended the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the scheme has registered 32 million Kenyans and is easing the burden of medical bills for many families.
"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 attracted nationwide attention after weeks of intense campaigning by both UDA and DCP leaders, with the outcome expected to shape political calculations ahead of the 2027 polls.