Ruto Confident of Doubling 2022 Vote Tally in 2027

President William Ruto has said he expects to double his tally from 2022 when he seeks re-election next year. Speaking to grassroots leaders from Nyeri county at Sagana State Lodge on Saturday, he said the ruling party would mobilise more aggressively and expand its national reach ahead of the next polls. “Zile kura tulipata wakati ule (2022), tunataka ziwe times two (the votes we got (in 2022), we want them to double them in 2027),” he said. "Wale hawakupiga na sisi 2022, watapiga nasi 2027 (Those who did not vote for us in 2022 will vote for us in 2027).” In attendance were more than 17,000 leaders elected as polling centre officials last week. Ruto received 7.1 million (50.49 percent) votes in 2022, narrowly beating his rival, the late Raila Odinga, who garnered 6.9 million votes (48.85 per cent). The elections were held on August 9 with 22.1 million registered Kenyans eligible to vote. Ruto said UDA would court first-time voters as well as those who stayed away during the last contest. The President added that his administration has laid a foundation for political and economic continuity, and urged supporters to prepare for an intensified grassroots recruitment drive. He said the United Democratic Alliance was being restructured into a mass party capable of prosecuting Kenya’s long-term transformation agenda beyond a single electoral cycle. “We are building the United Democratic Alliance into a truly national political party,” Ruto said. “Through visionary leadership, collaboration and unity of purpose, we are establishing a strong political unit to carry the national agenda forward and provide continuity in our development journey.” Ruto also defended his performance in office, saying the government has remained faithful to its Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda over the last three years. He cited ongoing investment in infrastructure, agricultural production, human capital development, healthcare and industrialisation as evidence of a shift toward a more productive and inclusive economy. The head of state said leadership and development cannot be achieved through “noises, threats, abuses, arrogance or tribalism” but through humility, hard work and cooperation across communities. He urged supporters to embrace political organisation rather than confrontation. The Sagana event came amid renewed internal manoeuvres in UDA as the ruling party embarks on nationwide grassroots elections and prepares for coalition negotiations ahead of 2027. While Ruto did not directly reference ongoing tensions, the mobilisation push has been interpreted by analysts as part of a broader effort to consolidate control of party structures and re-energise UDA’s base. Analysts say the President’s “times two” vote projection reflects confidence in his re-election prospects but also acknowledges the high number of eligible voters who either abstained or were not registered in 2022. The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission recorded millions of registered voters who did not turn out during the last election, while a new cohort of youth voters is expected to be added to the roll before 2027. Ruto urged grassroots officials to spearhead voter registration efforts and enhance party presence at polling centres, saying the 2027 race would require early preparation and disciplined organisation.