President William Ruto has cautioned leaders and individuals accused of promoting ethnic division, saying those fuelling tribal politics will be held accountable. Speaking in Mombasa on Wednesday, the Head of State condemned what he described as rising ethnic profiling and hate speech, warning that such actions threaten national unity.
Ruto stressed that Kenya cannot afford to be divided along ethnic lines, dismissing efforts by his critics to exploit tribal differences for political gain. He warned that individuals spreading hate and inciting divisions would eventually face consequences, insisting that unity must remain a priority for the country.
The President also referenced the death of Rachel Wandeto, who reportedly died following a suspected petrol attack in Mwiki. Ruto linked the incident to what he termed as dangerous ethnic profiling and hate, stating that justice would be pursued and those responsible held accountable.
The President’s remarks came as he kicked off a five-day development tour of the Coast region, which will see him visit multiple counties to launch and inspect key government projects. According to State House, the tour will cover:
- Mombasa County
- Lamu County
- Kwale County
- Kilifi County
- Tana River County
During the tour, Ruto is expected to launch and oversee several initiatives aimed at boosting economic growth and improving livelihoods in the region. Key projects include:
- Issuance of title deeds to address historical land challenges
- Construction and upgrading of fish and modern markets E
- xpansion of last-mile electricity connectivity
- Development of roads and education infrastructure
- Affordable housing projects
The government says the initiatives are part of broader efforts to spur development and resolve long-standing issues affecting the Coast region.
