By Anderson Ojwang
President William Ruto has embarked on boardroom chess gear to consolidate his vote blocks ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
President Ruto is not leaving anything to chance and has turned State House into a busier facility in recent days, with delegations arriving one after another.
From meeting the sports fraternity, President Ruto has cast his net wider to religious organisations, village elders, and on Thursday will meet private security guards.
While the combined opposition team – including Linda Mwananchi of Edwin Sifuna and James Orengo, DCP leader Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper Leader Kalonzo Musyoka, and Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Dr Fred Matiang’i – have been engaging the public in rallies, Ruto is deploying a two-pronged approach.
Ruto is deploying both boardroom meetings and public rallies to woo the electorate to his side in next year’s general elections.
Private Security Firms
The Chief Executive Officer of the Private Security Regulatory Authority, Mr Philip Leakey Okello, on August 4th, 2026, wrote to directors and shareholders of private security firms inviting them to a meeting at State House.
“The purpose of this letter is to formally invite private security officers (security guards) from your security firm, association, or union to attend a meeting scheduled to take place at State House. The meeting is scheduled for August 6th, 2026, from 8.00 am, and for ease of planning, you are required to confirm the attendance of your private security officers,” Okello wrote.
Kenya has an estimated 400,000 to over 1.2 million registered and unregistered private guards working across tens of security firms in the country. Over 2,000 active private security companies operate nationwide.
Village Elders
President Ruto has made good on his move to consolidate at the grassroots through the provincial administration by recognising village elders and paying them a stipend. Ruto has held a consultative meeting with village elders at State House, Nairobi, in a move that underscores the government’s continued engagement with grassroots leadership on national development, security, and community cohesion.
The consultative forum focused on the role of village elders in supporting government programmes at the grassroots, promoting peace, strengthening community leadership, and enhancing service delivery.
The elders are expected to continue serving as a vital link between communities and the government by mobilising citizens, resolving local disputes, and supporting the implementation of national development programmes.
Ruto said: “We call on leaders at the grassroots to champion the national conversation I have proposed on the National Development Charter and to ensure the outcome is people-driven, citizen-centred and future-focused. This conversation cannot remain in conference halls or Government offices. It must reach every county, every ward, every village and every household.”
Sports Fraternity
President Ruto started meeting the sports fraternity by inviting Premier League winners Gor Mahia and later invited Super League winners Migori Youth.
The President also hosted AFC Leopards, which benefitted from Sh10 million from the President, an additional Sh35 million sponsorship, and upgrading of the training ground.
CS Wycliff Oparanya led the AFC Leopards and Luhya delegation to State House, while Uriri MP Mark Nyamita, who is the patron of Migori Youth, and Governor Ochilo Ayacko also attended.
Migori Youth Football Club also received a bus from President Ruto.
They wrote: “Today marked another unforgettable chapter in our journey as we had the honour of presenting our National Super League trophy to H.E. President William Samoei Ruto at State House. We are deeply grateful to the President for officially handing over a team bus to us. This generous support is a major boost to our club and a powerful investment in the future of our players and football in Migori County. We also extend our sincere appreciation to our Patron, Mark Nyamita, for leading the team on this historic visit and for his unwavering commitment to the growth and success of Migori Youth FC.”
Religious Organisations
President Ruto has been engaging the Muslim community and the church to shore up his votes ahead of next year’s general elections.
On Wednesday, President Ruto hosted 9,000 Muslim community members at State House, Nairobi, and sought their support.
“Hosted more than 9,000 Muslim religious leaders from across Kenya at State House, Nairobi. My commitment is reflected in action. We have ended discriminatory vetting in the issuance of national identity cards, established a Consulate-General in Jeddah to serve Kenyans travelling to Makkah and Madinah. Operationalised passport centres in Mombasa and Garissa, commenced the establishment of the Waqf Commission to strengthen the protection and management of Muslim charitable endowments, and initiated the formal recognition of Madrasas and Duksis within our education system,” he said.
He said his administration was correcting historical injustices through equitable development across the Republic.
“Historically underserved regions, including Northern Kenya and the Coast, are receiving unprecedented investment in infrastructure and economic opportunity as we ensure that no community is left behind,” he said.
The President also hosted over 5,000 members of the Friends Church (Quakers) faithful at State House.
“We continue to enhance our partnership with religious institutions in the delivery of quality healthcare, education and community support,” he said.
Turkana
President Ruto also stretched further to the Turkana ODM stronghold and met a delegation from the region.
“Pleased to meet MPs from Turkana to discuss priorities for the county and reaffirm our commitment to inclusive development and improved livelihoods for the citizens,” he said.
Ruto said they have agreed with the leaders from the county to accelerate the completion of ongoing development projects, including affordable housing, student hostels, modern markets, fishing infrastructure, and road and water development.
“Turkana County is endowed with vast natural resources and immense economic potential that must be fully harnessed for the residents and, indeed, the entire country,” he said.
Just the beginning
State House is going to remain the heart of power, and delegations are going to increase as we head into 2027.
President Ruto’s boardroom gear is likely to be a game-changer for him.
