‘Wamenitukana miaka mbili, nimewajibu mara moja wameanza nduru...na bado!' Defiant Ruto warns opposition

President William Ruto has sustained his onslaught on opposition leaders, dismissing criticism that his remarks are unpresidential and maintaining that his verbal attacks are justified.

Ruto, who spoke during the Idd-ul-Fitr celebrations at the Kisumu State Lodge on Friday, appeared unapologetic over his previous comments, which critics have branded as abusive and body-shaming, hinting that they should prepare for more.

The Head of State went gloves off at the opposition and yet again seemingly laughed off at their rejoinders, saying his utterances were not ill-intended but meant as constructive criticism to urge them to watch their weight by frequenting the gym.

“Msiwajali wale wengine, wale nitawashughulikia, wale wa kutusumbua, wale wa pepo mbaya ya ukabila na chuki, nitawashughulikia,” the President declared.

Addressing the backlash regarding his recent comments telling opponents to reduce their food intake and go to the gym, President Ruto laughed off the criticism, framing his remarks as helpful advice rather than personal attacks.

“Nikawajibu kidogo tu, wakaleta maneno, mara sijui body shaming. Sijui nini, kwani kumwambia mtu aende gym na apunguze chakula ni body shaming? How is that body shaming?” he posed.

“For two years, wamenitukana bila kukoma. Juzi nimewajibu siku moja. Na hata nilipowajibu, niliwaambia tu tabia zenu si nzuri. Kaeni hivi, acheni wizi — hasa wizi wa fedha za kusaidia mayatima na wajane. Huo ndio wizi mbaya zaidi. Acheni pia mauaji ya wasichana na watoto. Nimewaambia wawe na nidhamu, chakula wapunguze, wasikule sana, wapunguze tamaa. Sasa hapo kosa iko wapi? Mimi sijatumia lugha ya matusi — wao ndio wamekuwa wakinitukana,” Ruto said.

He further mocked the concern over his own physique, stating, “They were saying I have become thin, so I was explaining to them how to reduce weight; how is that body shaming?”

Ruto also accused the opposition of dragging the country into personality politics instead of focusing on development.

While insisting that his primary focus remains on the national development agenda, Ruto made it clear that he would not ignore the political noise entirely adding that he had allocated a specific quota of his energy to dealing with his detractors.

“Nimesema 1% ya muda wangu nitatumia kudeal na hawa watu. Mnasema niwanyoroshe? Nitawaeleza mpaka watakipata,” Ruto vowed.

“Lakini 99% ya muda wangu, mimi nitumie kupanga mambo ya reli, kupanga barabara, kupanga matibabu, mambo ya kilimo, masomo ya watoto. Lakini 1% inatosha kwa hawa watu, nitawanyorosha.”

The President also took aim at those claiming his language falls below the dignity of his office. According to Ruto, calling out corruption and violence is a moral duty, specifically referencing his attacks on leaders he accuses of theft and involvement in killings.

“Nilikuwa naskia wakiongea sana mambo ya wizi na mauwaji. Nikawaambia wizi mbaya zaidi ni ule wa kuibia wajane na mayatima. Wacheni! Kwani hapo ni kosa? How is that wrong? How is that unpresidential?” he asked.

The remarks come amid a broader escalation of verbal confrontations between Ruto and opposition figures, especially his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

The two leaders have been trading barbs over tenders, failed projects, and alleged manipulation of government processes, with calls from clergy and stakeholders for restraint largely ignored.

Gachagua criticised the President’s language, saying he had “lost his cool and was no longer presidential,” linking the outbursts to exposed business dealings.