'Mimi siwezi tishwa na mtu!' President Ruto hits out at critics

President William Ruto has delivered a strong message to his critics, while at the same time calling for national unity and defending his administration's work.

Speaking during the 10th Annual Dairy Farmers' Field Day in Meru on Saturday, Ruto dismissed threats from his political opponents, emphasizing his long experience in politics and his unwillingness to be deterred from his agenda.

“Tufanye kazi? Tuendelee kuwasomesha watoto? Tupange hii kilimo? Wakulima wapate pesa? Ndio tusonge mbele?” Ruto posed to the audience, outlining his administration's priorities.

The President, who has faced mounting criticism from various quarters, declared his resilience against purpoted intimidation tactics.

“Nimekuwa kwa hii siasa kwa muda mwingi. Na mimi vitisho, mimi siwezi kutishwa na mtu. Ati kutishwa? Hapana, watafute mtu mwingine,” Ruto said.

Ruto expressed frustration with what he termed "empty propaganda" from his critics, particularly targeting the "Ruto Must Go" chants that have become popular among the opposition and their supporters.

“Porojo, propaganda tu…ooh sijui nini…ooh Kasongo…ooh Ruto must go…Watu hawana mpango, ukiwauliza wewe mpango yako kwa wakulima ni gani, wanasema Kasongo. Ooh mpango yako ya kuona watoto wanaendelea kusoma ni gani…wanasema Ruto must go…” he said, dismissing his critics as lacking substantive alternatives.

The Head of State also took the opportunity to praise his Deputy President, Prof. Kithure Kindiki, who hails from Tharaka Nithi County, contrasting him with his predecessor.

“Huyu deputy wangu huyu, Professor Kithure Kindiki, at least for the first time nikona mtu ambaye anaelewa kazi inaendelea namna gani na anasaidia kuskuma hiyo kazi, sio mtu panganga tu,” Ruto stated, in what appeared to be a veiled reference to former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who was impeached in October 2024.

Despite the political tensions, President Ruto emphasized the importance of national unity, revealing his efforts to bring together leaders from across the political divide.

“Mimi nakazana kuunganisha kenya. Huyu Oparanya hatukuwa upande mmoja kwa siasa iliyopita. Lakini kwa sababu ya umoja wa taifa letu la Kenya, na ili tuweze kupata nafasi mzuri ya umoja, ndio tuweze kusukuma mambo ya maendeleo ya taifa letu la Kenya, umoja ni ya muhimu, kwa sababu tunajua umoja ni nguvu, kujitenga ni udhaifu,” he explained.

The President was referring to Wycliffe Oparanya, the former Kakamega Governor who recently joined his administration despite being in the opposition camp during the 2022 elections.

He is now the Cabinet Secretary (CS) for Co-operatives and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) Development.

"Na ndio maana mimi kama kiongozi wa taifa hii nitawaungaisha Wakenya wote, tuweze kutembea safari moja," Ruto concluded, emphasizing his commitment to national cohesion despite political differences.