By Pascal Ndegwa - Reporter
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Kenya , October 24, 2026 - President William Ruto on Saturday commissioned the Mwala Cluster Water Supply Project in Mbiuni, Machakos County, and used the occasion to deliver a strong political message to residents of Eastern Kenya.
Standing before residents who will benefit from the new water system, Ruto said his government is deliberately building a broad-based administration that brings different communities together. He warned against efforts to divide the people of Eastern Kenya along tribal lines, saying they deserve development rather than politics of “tribalism.”
“Usawa ni sawa,” the President repeated, which means Equality is right stressing that fairness and equal treatment must guide national leadership. He told the crowd that voters should not be misled by leaders who, in his words, have no clear plans for the country and whose main contribution has been to brand him “Kasongo.”
Ruto accused the opposition of opposing government projects simply because they lack their own agenda. He said his administration is focused on elevating people’s lives through tangible projects, while critics only specialise in rejection.
The President singled out Kamba leaders serving in Parliament and in Cabinet, saying they are working with him to move the country forward. These leaders, he said, are not driven by personal gain but by the desire to deliver benefits to the people of Ukambani.
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In a notable moment, Ruto referred to Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka. He recalled that Kalonzo had once said God was using the President to build roads in the region, and added that no one succeeds without God’s help. Ruto suggested that Kalonzo has been more truthful than other opposition figures by at least acknowledging the progress taking place in Ukambani. He declared that the region cannot return to opposition politics because he is already walking with its people.
The Mwala Cluster Water Supply Project is part of a wider effort to expand access to clean water in Machakos and surrounding areas. For residents, the commissioning means shorter distances to fetch water and better conditions for households and small farms. For the President, the event served a second purpose, reinforcing his message that development and political inclusion go hand in hand in a region that has long been contested political ground.
By linking a practical water project to appeals for unity and warnings against division, Ruto sought to frame his government as the vehicle for progress in Ukambani while portraying the opposition as empty of ideas. The dual message, pipes in the ground and politics in the air — captured the nature of the visit.