President William Ruto concluded his Western Kenya tour by defending his Affordable Housing Programme against opposition criticism, framing it as a vital solution to shrinking agricultural land.

• The program is seen as critical for densely populated areas like Vihiga County, where land is scarce.
• Opposition leaders, including Rigathi Gachagua, have vowed to abolish the program if they gain power.
• Throughout his tour, President Ruto also inaugurated development projects, including the Kidundu Stadium and Mbale Modern Market.

President William Ruto has declared a firm stance against leaders promoting divisive politics and ethnic intolerance in Kenya, vowing decisive action against them.

• The President warned that such politics will not be tolerated under his administration.
• Key figures involved include President William Ruto, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung'wah, Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, and National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang'ula.
• The remarks were made during a development tour in Vihiga County, where Ruto also commissioned the construction of the Sh365 million Mbale modern market and the Sh900 million Kidundu Stadium.

The long-standing issue of Mau Forest evictions and resettlement is resurging as a prominent political topic in Kenya's Rift Valley ahead of the 2027 elections, with President William Ruto facing pressure to fulfill unkept promises from previous administrations.

• Over 61,000 people were reportedly targeted in past evictions aimed at conserving the Mau Forest Complex.
• Affected families have received promises of resettlement and compensation, including 2,000 families who were given Sh300,000 each, but many feel this is insufficient.
• The issue has been a recurring campaign theme for at least 21 years, involving past presidents like Mwai Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, as well as influential figures like former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.
• President Ruto has pledged to resettle 12,000 families, with funds expected after the 2025-2026 budget cycle, though the exact number of affected families and the extent of compensation remain debated.