Kenya Kwanza leaders defend Ruto as opposition fires back
Leaders allied to the broad-based government on Saturday rallied support for President William Ruto during a thanksgiving ceremony held in Mosop, Nandi County, where they defended the Kenya Kwanza administration’s development agenda and criticized opposition leaders opposed to the government.
The event was organised to celebrate the 2025 academic performance of Chepterwai Girls Senior School and the commissioning of a new school bus.
Among leaders present were Farouk Kibet, Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot, National Assembly Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah, MPs Japheth Nyakundi and John Bwire, as well as former Kakamega Deputy Governor Ayub Savula.
Speaking during the event, Farouk Kibet congratulated teachers, parents and students of Chepterwai Girls for their impressive academic performance, saying education remained the foundation for social and economic transformation.
He also warned politicians against engaging in divisive tribal politics ahead of the 2027 General Election.
“We must reject leaders who promote tribalism because unity is what will move this country forward,” he said.
Cheruiyot praised President Ruto’s leadership, arguing that the current administration was implementing projects and reforms that previous governments had failed to execute.
“The things that were only talked about by previous governments are now becoming a reality. We must commend President William Ruto for implementing what other presidents promised but never had the courage to carry out,” he said.
Taveta MP John Bwire took issue with former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i, accusing him of lacking the moral authority to criticize the current administration.
“The other day I saw Fred Matiang’i trying to lecture President William Ruto. If there is anyone who has no moral authority to lecture anyone, it is Matiang’i. When he was the Interior CS, he really troubled our children a lot,” Bwire said.
Kitutu Chache North MP Japheth Nyakundi urged former President Uhuru Kenyatta to give the Kenya Kwanza administration space to implement its development agenda.
“Uhuru Kenyatta should remain calm. The work that William Ruto is doing today—if Uhuru had managed to accomplish it—Kenya would already be a second-world country. Now William Ruto is pushing the country toward becoming a first-world nation,” Nyakundi said.
Savula also defended the President, saying leaders should allow the government adequate time to deliver on its promises to Kenyans.
Ichung’wah, on his part, dismissed opposition criticism directed at President Ruto, saying some opposition leaders lacked the political experience to challenge the Head of State.
“Some people claim they will teach William Ruto politics yet they were only one-term MPs. That is laughable,” he said.
However, opposition leaders hit back at the remarks, accusing Kenya Kwanza leaders of engaging in endless political campaigns instead of addressing the high cost of living, unemployment and governance concerns facing ordinary Kenyans.
Allied opposition leaders defended Matiang’i, describing him as a seasoned public servant with a proven record in government.
“We will not be intimidated for speaking the truth. Kenyans are struggling with taxes, the high cost of living and lack of jobs. The government should focus on solving these problems instead of attacking critics,” opposition leaders said.
They also rejected claims that former President Uhuru Kenyatta was interfering with the government, maintaining that retired leaders had a democratic right to express their opinions on national matters.
