Radio Fortune Africa -Ukweli na Burudani

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By Cantona Joseph, Published: March 20, 2026 17:33 (EAT)

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“Nimesema one per cent of time nitatumia kudeal na hawa watu.”

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President William Ruto has reiterated that he will no longer take a back seat and watch opposition leaders insult him, maintaining he will continue calling out what he terms unbecoming behaviour—even if it includes urging them to change lifestyle habits.

He said he will confront his critics head-on, responding to attacks directly rather than remaining silent as he has in the past.

The head of state said he had been quiet for too long, a stance he noted had been mistaken for weakness.

“Wale nitawashughulikia. Wamenitukana for two years mfululizo. Juzi nimewajibu tu siku moja, na hata si kuwajibu, niliwaambia tu tabia yenyu si mzuri,” he said.

(I will deal with them. They have insulted me continuously for two years. The other day I responded for just one day—and it wasn’t even really a response—I simply told them their behaviour is not good)

On Tuesday, Ruto lashed out at opposition figures he described as “brainless” in sharp remarks, following sentiments by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, who over the weekend criticised him over alleged weight loss.

Without mentioning names, the President remarked about one leader’s eating habits and weight, and accused another of “impregnating” young girls and disinheriting his late brother.

Speaking on Friday during an Eid-ul-Fitr luncheon at the Kisumu State Lodge, Ruto defended his stance, saying he was only correcting what he believes is unbecoming conduct among a section of the opposition elite.

“Nimewaambia wakuwe na nidhamu, chakula wapunguze wasikule sana. Sasa hiyo nimesema iko makosa wapi?”

(I told them to be disciplined, to reduce their food intake and not eat too much. Where exactly is the problem in what I said?)

He went on: “Mimi sijatumia lugha ya matusi, wao ndio wananitukana. Na shida wao ndio walianzisha, nilijaribu kuwaeleza jameni wacha tushindane kwa sera, tushindane kwa maono…wakasema hawana agenda, hawana maono, hawana mpango. Ati mpango yao yote ni William Ruto. Sasa, what was I supposed to do?”

(I have not used abusive language; they are the ones insulting me. They are the ones who started the problem. I tried to tell them, let’s compete on policies, let’s compete on ideas… but they said they have no agenda, no vision, no plan. That their entire plan is William Ruto. So, what was I supposed to do?)

The President said opposition leaders initiated the attacks by mocking his alleged weight loss, prompting him to respond and even advise them on staying fit.

“Sasa nikawajibu tu kidogo, nduru wakaanza. Oh, sijui body shaming. Kwani kuambia mtu enda gym na upunguze chakula ni body shaming?”

(So I just responded a little, and they started making noise— calling it body shaming. Is telling someone to go to the gym and reduce their food intake really body shaming?)

Ruto further said the opposition has consistently accused government leaders of theft and murder, claims he argued also reflect issues within their own ranks.

“How is that unpresidential? Kwani iko makosa kuambia watu waache mambo ya kuua wengine? Na bado! Nimesema one per cent of time nitatumia kudeal na hawa watu” he concluded.

Despite Ruto not mentioning any opposition leader by name, several have responded to sections of his remarks they believe were directed at them.

Oburu: Why is attacking Ruto okay, but his response unpresidential?

“Mr President, I know that you have been abused for a long time and you kept those guns. I didn’t know you were keeping them somewhere.”

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ODM leader Oburu Odinga has defended President William Ruto amid rising political tensions, questioning criticism directed at the Head of State over his recent responses to opponents.

Speaking on Friday during an Eid-ul-Fitr luncheon hosted by the President at State Lodge Kisumu, Oburu appeared to justify Ruto’s increasingly assertive tone in the political arena.

His remarks come at a time when leaders across the divide have been trading accusations publicly, fuelling concerns about escalating political divisions.

“Mr President, I know that you have been abused for a long time and you kept those guns. I didn’t know you were keeping them somewhere,” Oburu said, in remarks that drew attention and light reactions from leaders present.

“Now that you have released them, people are crying. I don’t know why, when it is you being attacked, it’s okay, when you are also releasing your arsenal, now they are saying it’s very unpresidential?” he posed.

The comments were seen as a direct response to critics who have recently accused Ruto of adopting a combative political style, particularly in his rebuttals to opponents.

Oburu’s statement framed the President’s approach as a reaction to sustained attacks rather than an unprovoked shift in tone.

Without naming specific individuals, the ODM leader suggested that there had been a double standard in how political conduct is judged, arguing that criticism intensifies when the President responds in kind.

Oburu also welcomed Ruto’s visit to the Nyanza region, expressing optimism that it would deliver tangible benefits to the area.

He praised the President for recognising the Muslim community through the Eid-ul-Fitr celebration, describing it as an important gesture of inclusion.

“I hope your visit here is going to bring a lot more and I’m very happy you have recognised the Muslim community in our region,” he added.

The luncheon brought together a cross-section of leaders from the region, including Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.

His Kisumu visit is part of a broader five-day tour of the Nyanza region running from March 20 to March 24, during which he is expected to launch and inspect key development projects.

The extension of the SGR remains one of the flagship projects under focus, with the government positioning it as a game-changer for trade and transport in western Kenya.

Security has been heightened around key venues, with authorities urging calm and orderly conduct during the President’s visit.

The tour is expected to culminate in a series of public events over the weekend, where the President will address residents and officially launch projects aimed at transforming the region’s economic landscape.

Leaders don white kanzus as Ruto hosts Eid luncheon in Kisumu State Lodge

Guests arrived dressed in traditional white kanzus and taqiyahs, giving the gathering a distinct cultural and religious tone.

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President William Ruto on Friday hosted a special Eid-ul-Fitr luncheon for Muslim leaders and the community in Kisumu, kicking off a series of high-level engagements during his tour of the Nyanza region.

The event, held at State Lodge Kisumu, drew a cross-section of leaders, largely aligned to the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), and underscored ongoing political outreach in the region.

Guests arrived dressed in traditional white kanzus and taqiyahs, giving the gathering a distinct cultural and religious tone.

Among those present were Oburu Odinga, Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi, Kisumu Governor Anyang’ Nyong’o, and Suna East MP Junet Mohamed.

The gathering comes as Ruto intensifies his charm offensive in the region, with the President expected to hold further consultations with political and community leaders.

The engagements are expected to focus on development priorities, regional unity, and the status of key government projects.

Ruto arrived in Kisumu on Thursday evening via Kisumu Port, where he was received by Governor Nyong’o before proceeding to State Lodge.

His visit to the lakeside city follows an earlier stop in Narok County, where he launched another segment of the Standard Gauge Railway (SGR).

The Kisumu leg forms part of a broader five-day tour of the Nyanza region running from March 20 to March 24, during which the Head of State is expected to commission and inspect key development projects across several counties.

In a message shared earlier, President Ruto joined the Muslim faithful in celebrating Eid al-Fitr, highlighting the values of sacrifice, devotion, charity, and reflection observed during the holy month of Ramadan.

He noted that the occasion serves as a reminder of faith, unity, and gratitude, urging Kenyans to extend kindness to the less fortunate and foster harmony within communities.

“We join the Muslim community in celebrating Eid al-Fitr following the sacred month of Ramadan, a time of sacrifice, devotion, prayer, charity, and reflection,” he said.

“May all acts of worship be accepted, hearts renewed and strengthened, and the spirit of faith continue to guide our nation and us.”

Oburu Odinga, who attended the luncheon, described the event as a moment of reflection and unity.

He emphasised the importance of diversity and peaceful coexistence, noting that national strength lies in collective commitment to inclusivity and shared prosperity.

“Let us use this Eid to uplift one another and continue the work of building a country where every Kenyan has a stake in our collective prosperity,” he said.

He also extended Eid greetings to the Muslim community, wishing them renewed faith and peace in their homes.

I will move to Afghanistan if Kalonzo becomes President — Moses Kuria

Kuria said Ruto’s re-election is uncertain and dismissed Kalonzo Musyoka as a viable alternative

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Former Cabinet Secretary and presidential economic adviser Moses Kuria has broken his silence on politics, weighing in on the 2027 General Election.

He said President William Ruto’s re-election is uncertain and dismissed Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka as a viable alternative.

Kuria, once a close ally and vocal defender of Ruto, has kept a low political profile since resigning as the President’s Senior Economic Adviser on July 8, 2025.

Before his advisory role, he served as Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade and Industry, and later as Cabinet Secretary for Public Service.

Speaking on KTN News on Thursday night, Kuria said some of Ruto’s policies—viewed as unpopular in certain quarters—could undermine his re-election bid.

Asked whether the President could shift the political tide by 2027, Kuria was non-committal.

“I don’t know. When I resigned from government for my own personal reasons, this question you’re asking I told him the answer. I told him maybe the things you’re doing may not percolate into something within your first term but certainly within your second term,” he said.

Kuria drew parallels between Ruto’s presidency and that of the late Mwai Kibaki, noting that Kibaki faced unpopularity in his first term before his economic policies began yielding results later.

However, he cautioned that such a trajectory may not necessarily apply to the current administration.

“Maybe they (Kenyans) don’t see it—what’s the option?” he posed. Then paused. “Kalonzo Musyoka? Me I will move to Afghanistan if Kalonzo becomes President.”

Kuria said his time in government has given him insight into the country’s complexities, adding that he understands “how difficult this country is.”

Kalonzo Musyoka is positioning himself as a frontrunner within the newly formed United Opposition, which includes former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, Martha Karua, Eugene Wamalwa and former Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i.

The former Vice President is increasingly being viewed as a serious contender and potential kingmaker, bouyed by his consistent support base, particularly in the Ukambani region.

Together with his allies, Kalonzo has pledged to ensure Ruto serves only one term. Some within the opposition frame him as an experienced, calm and trustworthy leader suited to carry the coalition’s presidential ticket.

Kuria, however, questioned Kalonzo’s political positioning, arguing that his experience should have already made him the automatic opposition flagbearer.

“How can Kalonzo Musyoka, someone who supported Baba (Raila Odinga) three times… how come Kalonzo Musyoka is not a frontrunner?” he asked. “How do you lose such advantage?”

Kuria argued that Kalonzo should have leveraged the political capital, organisational structure and support base built by the former Prime Minister, particularly in Nyanza, Western and the Coast.

Kalonzo backed Raila in three elections, serving as his running mate in 2013 and 2017.

“If it were me, I would have said you all know I supported Baba in 2013 and 2017 and supported him even when he picked Martha. It’s not rocket science,” Kuria said.

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