President William Ruto on Saturday scoffed at calls by his opponents to have him exit power over claims of incompetence, noting that it's Kenyans who will decide his fate in the 2027 General Election.
Ruto, who hosted thousands of youths at State House in an economic empowerment programme attended by city leaders led by Governor Johnson Sakaja, appeared bullish, listing his achievements and announcing his resolve to uplift the lives of youths across the country.
He stated that the decision ultimately lies with Kenyans, noting that the public will be accorded the chance to assess every candidate based on their track record.
The president asserted that the one-term (wantam) chants will not deter him from implementing his manifesto. "They are trying to intimidate me with threats of a one-term limit, but I tell them we will not succumb to blackmail or threats. We are committed to transforming our country,” said Ruto.
The phrase 'Wantam' was coined by Ruto’s opponents, especially opposition politicians, to denote that the president does not deserve reelection in 2027 over his failure to fulfil his promises.
Ruto also fired back at Hustler Fund critics, saying that his policies are based on well-informed strategies that are meant to benefit society.
Responding to the critics of the Fund, Ruto cited that the initiative has disbursed over Sh72 billion to 26 million Kenyans and mobilised over Sh5 billion in savings.
"The people who don't know what real Kenya looks like are giving us lectures from air-conditioned offices and posh offices in Nairobi about the hustles of ordinary people. They have no understanding of how real Kenya is," said Ruto.
His sentiments come days after former Prime Minister Raila Odinga made a similar clarion call for Kenyans to give Ruto's administration space to work and reserve their opinions until the next election.
Odinga also dismissed the mounting 'one-term' (Wantam) chants, noting that the broad-based government would prove to be effective in service delivery.
“To the naysayers, give us space and judge us in 2027. This is going to last till 2027, after that we’ll see where we’ll go,” he said during the burial of Dr Phoebe Asiyo at Wikondiek in Homa Bay County.
“If you’re saying one term, one term…so what? It’s Kenyans who will decide the term,” Odinga added.
