- President William Ruto faced criticism for calling opposition leaders “fools” and “brainless” during his Ukambani tour
- His remarks in Makueni and Kitui counties targeted opponents’ intelligence, plans, and policies, portraying them as incapable of governance
- Makueni woman representative Suzanne Kiamba publicly urged the president to respect all leaders, citing biblical teachings on human dignity
- Despite pushback, Ruto continued attacking opposition slogans and accused them of engaging in “low politics” that underestimates Kenyans
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉
Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
President William Ruto’s fiery campaign trail in the Ukambani region has ignited a storm of controversy.
Source: UGC
This follows his repeated use of terms like “fools” and “brainless” to describe opponents, drawing sharp criticism for contradicting his own pleas to end insult-driven politics.
The outbursts, delivered across multiple stops in Makueni and Kitui counties, have continued to raise eyebrows about the head of state’s temperament.
What did Ruto say about leaders in Makueni, Kitui?
Ruto’s Ukambani tour kicked off in Makueni county, where he repeatedly criticised opposition leaders, questioning their intelligence and readiness to govern.
“A person who has no plan, no policy, no agenda, no intelligence,is that someone to be elected?” he posed, stressing his dismissal of the opposition’s capacity to lead.
Ruto’s attacks did not stop there but laid the foundation for the tone that has gone on to characterise his rallies in a region largely considered an opposition base.
In Kitui county, the head of state addressed a large crowd, further lambasting opposition figures on their intellectual abilities.
“They have no plan. They have no policies. Not even sense… wait, do you even know them? Salaale,” he declared, portraying his opponents as incapable and directionless.
This is a major shift for the president, who, in May, during a public address, urged supporters to ignore those who have nothing to offer to us except insults, name-calling and ethnicity.
How did local leaders respond to Ruto’s remarks?
However, Ruto’s vitriolic rhetoric drew immediate pushback from Makueni woman representative Suzanne Kiamba.
Taking advantage of a rare public interaction, Kiamba urged the president to adopt a more measured approach and respect fellow leaders.
Seemingly to appeal to Ruto’s church values, the Makueni MP cited biblical teachings on equality before God.
“As a social safeguard specialist no human being created in the image of God is worthless. Even a person who cannot speak has something valuable inside them. I do not support this habit of saying we in the opposition are completely worthless,” Kiamba stated.
Source: AFP
Despite the pushback, Ruto persisted with his critical language, sustaining attacks on opposition leaders with demeaning remarks.
This time, Ruto condemned what he called “low politics” from his opponents, claiming that they think Kenyans are gullible.
He tore into the united opposition’s slogans, suggesting they are ignorant and have nothing else to offer Kenyans.
“Those foolish people who talk about shares, who claim Kenya is run through favoritism or discrimination, that is low politics from ignorant people. They think Kenyans are very foolish. When they come here they bring three phrases. Wantam, Kasongo must go. Is that not foolishness?” Ruto posed.
Why did Ruto scold Makueni MCA?
Elsewhere, Ruto rebuked a Makueni MCA during a public rally after the lawmaker reminded him of broken development promises from 2021, including building Mooni Bridge, issuing title deeds, and expanding electricity in Nguu ward.
Ruto told the Lands Cabinet Secretary to speed up the pending letter and asked the Roads Cabinet Secretary to allocate funds so the bridge will be ready by February.
Then, with a smile, he chided the MCA: “You come and give me orders in public. Don’t you know I am the President of Kenya?”
He said this reflects his bottom-up leadership philosophy, where grassroots voices push those at the top.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
