President William Ruto has slammed critics following unprecedented intense public backlash and ridicule against his administration, as chants of “Ruto Must Go” reverberate' across the country.
Mr. Ruto, a leader once hailed as a champion of the people, has in recent months become the target of scorn following the Citizenry's growing disillusionment with his presidency.
In the wake of Increased opposition, Ruto has dismissed as inconsequential ongoing opposition alliances being crafted across the country with the primary aim of unseating him during the 2027 general elections.
Speaking on Monday in Migori on the second day of his tour of Nyanza, Mr. Ruto labelled the emerging alliances as tribal outfits keen on advancing outdated politics of division. Ruto emphasized he's ready to meet his opponents at the ballot.
He challenged them to come up with a plan to counter his come 2027, reiterating he will not be cowed by 'Must Go' chants.
"Wale majamaa, mashujaa wa ukabila na architects wa kugawanya Wakenya, sisi tunawaambia ya kwamba sisi tuko tayari kabisa. Lakini kabla hamjasonga mbele tafuteni sera kwanza," he said.
The President mocked calls for his removal from office, saying this cannot be a viable campaign agenda.
"Ruto must go cannot be a manifesto. Hiyo manifesto ni manifesto ya chini sana. Wale watu wengine pale hawana mpango yoyote; ati mpango yao ni Ruto must go," he said.
"Na Ruto asipoenda mtado? (And if Ruto doesn't go, what will you do?" he posed.
He expressed confidence in his track record, saying he has affordable housing project, roads and markets to show for what he has achieved, a self-score which the opposition outfits should be focusing on outsmarting instead of focusing on the only agenda of wanting him out of office.
President Ruto has on numerous occasions defended his administration’s controversial economic decisions, saying they are bearing fruit and have positioned Kenya among the leading economies in Africa.
The President says that the government’s bold reforms — though unpopular — are critical to securing long-term prosperity and economic self-reliance for the country.
Speaking last week during Labour Day celebrations at Uhuru Gardens, Ruto said his administration remains committed to taking difficult but necessary steps to build a resilient, productive economy, adding that the 2025 Finance Bill — approved by Cabinet this week — is part of that broader transformation plan.
“Some of the decisions we’ve made may not have been popular, but they are necessary. And today, thanks to those decisions, the IMF has placed Kenya among the top five performing economies on the continent."
Ruto cited the doubling of national savings through the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), which rose from KSh320 billion saved over 60 years to nearly KSh280 billion in just two years since the implementation of the new 6% savings rate for both employees and employers.
The Head of State singled out reforms in taxation, pensions, agriculture, housing, and social protection as key pillars of the turnaround. He said measures such as tax exemptions on pensions and direct application of PAYE reliefs will boost workers’ incomes, while simplified tax policies will help small businesses thrive.
Critics however opine otherwise, citing a failing Health System, increased Pay Slip deductions and rising cost of living.
Meanwhile, Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua recently outlined ambitious goals the new opposition alliance he is clobbering up aims to achieve, refuting earlier claims made by his former boss, President Ruto, that the new opposition has no development agenda and is only focused on attacking him.
The Former Dp, stated that they are not preoccupied with Ruto’s removal from office, empasizing the 'Opposition's main Agenda is to liberate the country.
Gachagua, noted that salaried Kenyans have - for far too long - decried huge payslips deductions under the Kenya-Kwanza administration following the introduction of levies like the Affodable Housing levy, Social Health Insurance Fund, increased NSSF deductions among others. This, will change under the 'new regime' he said.
Key among their priorities, according to Gachagua, is economic restoration, ending corruption, restoring the dignity of the payslip and ending Tribalism in the country.
The Former Dp explained that while the opposition is not preoccupied with Ruto's ouster, these goals cannot be achieved with the incumbent still at the helm. He stated that Ruto must Go' as a prerequisite for the liberation of the country.
Gachagua, painted a grim picture of what the current administration has subjected the Citizenry to, describing President Ruto as tribal and corrupt.
"Our preoccupation is not to remove William Ruto. Our Preoccupation is to liberate this country, restore the economy, stop corruption, restore the dignity of the payslip and end tribalism. These things are not possible when William Ruto is President because he is the architect of tribalism, Corruption and theft. The Exit of William Ruto is a prerequisite for the liberation of Kenya." he said.
