John Methu: Ruto’s money will not save him in 2027

Nyandarua Senator John Methu has dismissed the notion that money will play a decisive role in Kenya's 2027 general election, asserting that President William Ruto's financial advantage will not guarantee his re-election. During a TV interview on August 12, 2026, Methu pointed to the recent Ol Kalou by-election as evidence that voters could reject political influence backed by money.

"From Ol Kalou, it has been proven that money is a very insignificant component of the next general election," Methu stated. As a key player in the Ol Kalou campaign, Methu spent approximately 60 days on the ground, emphasizing that the by-election served as a crucial lesson for the opposition in preparing for the 2027 presidential contest.

"If you think about Ol Kalou, where I personally led the campaign, and I was there for 60 days, Ol Kalou is the silver bullet of this fight against Mr. William Ruto," he said. Methu emphasized that financial resources alone could not secure victory at the ballot, arguing that President Ruto's political strategy was heavily influenced by the belief that his opponents lacked sufficient financial muscle.

"One thing that William Ruto believes in… is that we don’t have money, and he has the money. Of course, he has the money," Methu explained. However, he maintained that the Ol Kalou experience demonstrated that voters prioritized political persuasion over cash. Despite the significant investment in the election, Methu insisted that financial spending would not automatically translate into votes in 2027.

He also highlighted contrasts between the political dynamics within President Ruto's camp and those of the opposition, noting ongoing disagreements among leaders associated with the Kenya Kwanza administration. Methu challenged claims of disarray within the opposition, pointing out the presence of Deputy President Kithure Kindiki within the administration and the demand for specific arrangements for the 2027 election by some opposition leaders.

He further suggested that political movement was increasingly occurring from the government side towards the opposition, with no instances of defections from the opposition to the government. These comments come as political maneuvering intensifies in the Mount Kenya region, with various parties and leaders seeking to position themselves strategically ahead of the 2027 elections.