2027 politics: Ruto’s push to finish govt projects as opposition steps up challenge

Kenya's President William Ruto's administration is focusing on completing government projects ahead of the 2027 General Election. On August 26, 2026, Chief of Staff Felix Koskei ordered accounting officers to review the status of government projects and report back within two weeks. Koskei emphasized that the review aims to improve coordination, accelerate implementation, and provide a clearer picture of progress across various government initiatives.

The review highlights areas where resources need to be concentrated and where mandates overlap between institutions, addressing both the unfinished projects and resource alignment.

This move is significant politically as Ruto has repeatedly stated that his leadership should be judged against the promises he made to voters. Opposition figures, meanwhile, are preparing to challenge the government over whether these promises have translated into tangible results for Kenyans. The review is expected to set a more complete picture of government delivery across ministries and State corporations, including projects like roads, health facilities, public services, and other programs directly affecting citizens.

Koskei stressed the importance of ensuring that reported progress is accurate and supported by verifiable evidence, adding another layer of scrutiny to the administration's claims.

The two-week review is set to complement the National Government Dashboard System, a platform designed to monitor national programmes and projects. Currently, the dashboard lists 51 priority programmes and projects. Ruto's administration has prepared for voters to scrutinize his performance against the commitments outlined in his manifesto, challenging other politicians to present their own records and plans.

The review thus provides a tangible basis for Ruto to defend his administration, while his opponents can use delays, unfinished commitments, or weak outcomes to argue that the government has not delivered enough.

Ruto has also invited his rivals to compete on performance rather than rhetoric, arguing that Kenya's political leadership should be judged by its record and plan for solving the country's problems. The opposition, led by figures like former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, is working towards greater coordination to avoid splitting the vote.

Gachagua has emphasized the need to negotiate a common challenger to Ruto, signaling that the opposition is aligned in trying to frame the election around unmet promises and dissatisfaction with the government's performance. Meanwhile, Ruto challenges the opposition to explain what they would do differently, creating a political contest in which both sides are incentivized to focus on delivery.

The Koskei review marks an important step in this ongoing political battle, with both sides poised to capitalize on the government's record and performance.