National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula has urged residents of Rift Valley to rally behind President William Ruto in his bid for a second term, arguing that his performance so far dwarfs that of his predecessors.

Speaking during a fundraiser St Peter’s Catholic Church Kapsabet, Wetang’ula said the region needed no persuasion to back Ruto since he had already demonstrated leadership and tangible results.

“As residents of Rift Valley, we are preaching to the converted. You do not need to be mobilised or coerced to support your son for a second term because you know the direction the country is taking,” the Speaker said.

Wetang’ula dismissed critics of the President, describing them as “self-seeking characters without an agenda.”

He likened their opposition to the late veteran politician Kenneth Matiba’s constant calls for President Daniel arap Moi’s resignation in Parliament, which bore little fruit.

“We have told the President to ignore such noises the way a cow ignores the croaking of frogs and continues to drink water. He should focus on delivering for Kenyans, because come elections, the people will judge him fairly,” he said.

The Speaker argued that Kenyans could see, feel, and understand the progress made by Ruto’s administration, particularly in education, healthcare, roads, and efforts to stabilise the economy.

“When we speak to ordinary citizens, they encourage us and the President to continue improving their livelihoods. That is what matters to the people,” he added.

His sentiments were echoed by Nandi Governor Stephen Sang, who defended Ruto’s record and called for fair comparisons with past administrations.

Governor Sang argue that Ruto has surpassed expectations in his first two years, and with a full ten-year term, his accomplishments will be significantly recognized both domestically and internationally.

“People are unfairly asking why the President has not achieved in two years what Uhuru Kenyatta or Mwai Kibaki achieved in their ninth and tenth years in office. If you compare Dr Ruto’s two years with their first two years, you will find that he has exceeded expectations. With a full 10-year term, his record will shock Kenyans and earn international recognition,” Governor Sang said.

Governor Sang emphasizes that Ruto’s potential track record should be the basis for determining his eligibility for a second term, rather than personal biases or assumptions about his performance relative to other presidents.

“So let us be fair, and every president in Kenya has had is two terms. William Ruto is not an exception, and we are not asking that against his two term, because he is William Ruto. We are asking because of the track record that he will be able to post and will merit the second term on account of the track record that he will have delivered on Kenyans and in transforming the economy of Kenya,” he held.

Tinderet MP Julius Melly said President William Ruto deserves a second term with any much noise.

According to Melly, President William Ruto’s government has has done and exceed expectations, unlike the previous government since independence.

“President Ruto’s government has employed over 76,000 teachers in just three years. Compare that with President Kenyatta, who employed 50,000 teachers in his 10-year tenure. This year alone, 24,000 more will be hired, bringing the total to 100,000 teachers. That is unprecedented,” Melly noted.

“I don’t know whether you have this news even the investment we have put in university education is unprecedented , let’s support President Ruto for a second term,” he held.

His sentiments were echoed by Bungoma Senator David Wakoli who said as western region they have decide to support President William Ruto for a second term , so that in 2032 when one of their own will be gunning for presidency, the rift valley region will return the favour .