Karua lashes out at Ruto over 'disrespectful' remarks against opposition

The People's Liberation Party (PLP) leader Martha Karua has strongly criticized President William Ruto over disrespectful remarks made in Machakos, urging him to embrace the decorum and responsibility expected of a Head of State. 

Speaking in Tana River County where she was popularising her bid on Saturday, Karua accused the broad-based government and its leaders of neglecting the public interest in favor of political gain while citizens face unresolved challenges.

"Naambia daktari William Ruto, sababu anakasirika sana na anaonyesha hasira mpaka kule Machakos ametusi watu, umepatiwa kibarua ya miaka kadhaa, ni wananchi wanaweza kufuta asubuhi ukarudi kwako. Na mimi nawaambia kama Martha Karua mkinipatia kura zenu 2027 pia mimi nitakuwa one-term," she said.

Her remarks come amid growing backlash over President Ruto’s language during his four-day tour of Ukambani, where he repeatedly described his opponents as “fools” and “brainless,” despite his own public calls for an end to the politics of insults.

“Mtu ambaye mpango hana. Sera hana ajenda hana. Akili hana. Huyo ni mtu wa kuchagua?” the President told supporters during one of his stops, prompting criticism from local leaders and grassroots representatives.

In Kitui, he escalated the rhetoric further, saying: “Mpango hawana. Sera hawana. Hata akili… alaa kwani mnawajua? Salaale.”

The President also dismissed critics of his shareholding and governance policies as “wapumbavu” and “wajinga,” continuing a pattern that has characterised several of his recent public addresses.