Executive shame as top leaders trade barbs in escalating political feud

Kenya’s political landscape has been thrust into the spotlight for all the wrong reasons, after a string of public exchanges between top leaders descended into personal insults, body-shaming, and unrestrained mudslinging.

At the centre of the storm are President William Ruto and his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, whose bitter fallout has now morphed into a highly personal war of words ahead of the 2027 presidential race.

What began as political rivalry has rapidly degenerated into one of the lowest moments in Kenya’s recent political discourse, with senior leaders trading accusations, insults, and inflammatory remarks in public forums.

The latest round of exchanges was triggered by remarks made by Gachagua during a public address in Kiambu, where he appeared to mock the President’s physical appearance while also hinting at alleged impropriety.

President Ruto responded forcefully, launching a blistering counterattack in which he accused his critics of criminal conduct and moral failings.

In a series of emotionally charged statements, the Head of State used unusually harsh language, further intensifying the feud.

The President also appeared to widen his criticism beyond Gachagua, making remarks interpreted as targeting other political figures, including comments widely seen as body-shaming opponents.

President Ruto, the target of an apparent body shaming by Gachagua, picked the baton and took the low road race to the next phase.

“…Mtu mwenye ako na pepo ya ukabila na chuki na kisirani anatuambia nini kama Wakenya,” Ruto indicated.

Rage was apparent in the president’s voice, tone and manner.

“You cold-blooded thief stealing from your own brother, stealing from orphans, stealing from widows and you want to give us a lecture unazunguka kwa barabara kwa mazishi eti unatuongelesha kitu gani mtu ambaye ameenda akatia mimba watoto wadogo kama rika ya mtoto wake halafu anaua hao watoto halafu anatuambia mambo yake. You cold-blooded murderer, you cold-blooded thief,” the head of state vehemently retorted.

“Na nikwambie Kasongo hapana ita watu wezi, mambo ya wizi ikiongelewa Kenya hakuna mtu hajui nani mwizi mkuu Kenya ni nani. Wewe unasema watu wameua watu tukianzia Kiambaa church 2007, Gen-Z kupiga watu risasi, mambo ya mauaji Wakenya wanajua mambo ya mauaji,” Gachagua alleged.

After Gachagua, President Ruto cast his muddy net wider.

“Watu waende gym wanakula chakula nyingi kichwa karibu inapasuka mnalala kwa mkutano mnaharibu hewa,” Ruto claimed.

Though he mentioned no name, Ruto’s remarks invited a response.

“First of all sijui kwanini unasumbuka vile mimi nakula kwa sababu mimi sikuli kwa bibi yako, hujaniona nikienda kutafuta chakula bibi yako ama bibi yako. Mimi nakula Kisii sasa hiyo kama ndio inanisumbua,” stated Jubilee’s Fred Matiang’i.

Let’s take you back to Ruto, who was clearly on a roll. His next target was someone in Kitale, though he did not mention names.

“Iko mwingine wa kutoka hapa Kitale aliwachiwa mali na ndugu yake watoto wanateseka ajue bei ya diaper kwanza,” Ruto noted.

Then back to where it all started, Rigathi Gachagua.

“Hatutakubali uibe Nairobi Hospital. Tukiachia utaiba pia Lee Funeral Home,” the DCP leader stated.

Among those who responded was presidential hopeful Fred Matiang’i, who rebuked the tone of the President’s remarks while calling for restraint and respect for the dignity of public office.

Speaking in Narok during a meeting with Jubilee Party delegates, Matiang’i criticised the growing trend of personal attacks in political engagements, warning that such conduct risks eroding public confidence in leadership.

“I respect the office of the President. Our Constitution is clear that the person in that office is a symbol of national unity,” he said, adding that leaders must uphold decorum even in the face of political competition.

Matiang’i stressed that he has deliberately avoided personal attacks, urging fellow leaders to exercise maturity and focus on issues rather than individuals.

“Kenyans expect those who seek leadership to be measured, mature and decent—even in the language we use,” he said.

Matiang’i fired back at President William Ruto, calling for respect and maturity in leadership as the political temperature ahead of 2027 continues to rise.

Speaking in Narok while meeting Jubilee Party delegates, Matiang’i took issue with remarks by President Ruto, who had earlier mocked his opponents weight and eating habits.

“Kwanza mimi nauliza wengine waende gym… Wacheni kula chakula mingi… Tumbo karibu inaparsuka…” Ruto said, in comments widely seen as targeting opposition leaders.

In his response Matiang’i, said he has always avoided attacking the President out of respect for the office.

“First of all mimi sijui kwa nini unasumbuka vile nakula kwa sababu mimi sikuli kwa bibi yako. Mimi hujaona… yeah, hujaona nikija… yeah, hujaona nikija kutafuta chakula kwa bibi yako ama kwa watu wako,” he said.

“I respect the office of the President. Katiba yetu inaonyesha wazi that the person in that office is a symbol of national unity.”

He added that he has deliberately chosen to stay away from personal attacks, even when under pressure to respond.

“I don’t like talking about personal things or attacking other leaders. We must be the change that we desire,” Matiang’i told the crowd.

Matiang’i warned that the country risks lowering the dignity of leadership if politicians continue engaging in insults and personal jabs.

“Kenyans expect those who seek leadership to be measured, mature and decent—even in the language we use,” he said.

He further warned that the ongoing exchanges risk setting a poor example for younger generations, noting that the normalization of insults among leaders could damage the image of leadership in the country.

The escalating rhetoric has raised concern among observers, who say the political temperature is rising dangerously early, more than a year before official campaigns begin.

Analysts warn that the shift from policy-driven debate to personal attacks signals a troubling trajectory for the 2027 elections, with fears that continued escalation could further degrade the dignity of Kenya’s highest offices.

Despite Kenya’s long history of robust and often heated political contestation, the current wave of body-shaming and deeply personal insults marks a new low, underscoring growing anxiety over the tone and substance of national political discourse.