Ruto hits back at opposition lies in Makueni with a candid admission that left crowds chuckling during his Ukambani development tour. President William Ruto, speaking at a rally in Wote town, dismissed a barrage of accusations from critics as laughable fabrications designed to derail his administration’s progress.
Amid cheers from thousands of supporters, he quipped about wild claims ranging from owning a furniture factory to masterminding the supply chain for affordable housing projects.
The president’s unfiltered remarks came as he launched several initiatives, including the Wote Affordable Housing Project and water harvesting schemes, underscoring his bottom-up economic model.
“Kuna mambo mengine nasikia mpaka nacheka. Leo wanasema nina furniture factory, kesho wanasema Sidian Bank ni yangu, keshokutwa mimi ndiye nasambaza simiti, chuma, mbao na mabati kwa miradi ya affordable housing, eti hadi nafungua biashara na SHA.
“Kesho unasikia tena mara nimeua watu. Mpaka naitwa mwizi wa mashamba.Yaani hata Mungu ananihurumia vile nawekelewa uongo. Kwani mimi nataka kumiliki mali yote ya dunia? Wakenya, mimi sina haja ya kujilimbikizia mali. Mungu amenipa ya kutosha, sitamaliza mpaka Yesu arudi. Sasa kilichobaki ni kutumikia watu, kufanya kazi ya Mungu na kujiandaa kwa safari ya mwisho, safari ya Mbinguni,” Ruto said.
“There are some things I hear that make me laugh,” Ruto began, his voice booming over the microphone.
“Today they say I have a furniture factory, tomorrow Sidian Bank is mine, and next they claim I’m distributing cement, iron, timber, and iron sheets for affordable housing, even opening businesses with SHA.
“Tomorrow you’ll hear I’ve appointed people. Even called a farm thief. I mean, even God pities me with the lies loaded on me. Do I want to own all the world’s property? Kenyans, I have no need to accumulate wealth. God has given me enough; I won’t finish it until Jesus returns. Now what’s left is to serve people, do God’s work, and prepare for the final journey, the journey to heaven.”
“Ruto’s speech, delivered under a scorching sun to a sea of yellow-clad UDA faithful, blended humour with a stern rebuke of what he termed “empty opposition rhetoric”.
He urged politicians to shift from slogans like “Kasongo, Wantam, and Must Go” to tangible action, warning that such tactics would not sway voters in upcoming polls.
The event, part of a multi-day Ukambani swing, highlighted his pledge to integrate the region fully into national development, declaring it would “never be in opposition again” after years of marginalisation.
Earlier, he inspected ongoing projects, handing over titles to beneficiaries and promising accelerated funding for irrigation dams to combat recurrent droughts.
Claims of his hand in SHA (Social Health Authority) dealings echo recent audits revealing procurement irregularities, while farm invasion allegations stem from disputes in Rift Valley over state land allocations.
Ruto, unfazed, pivoted to his faith, invoking divine provision to portray his service-orientated mandate. “I’ve been blessed with enough; my focus is legacy, not loot,” he added, drawing nods from elders in the front rows.
Local leaders echoed his sentiments. Makueni Governor Mutula Kilonzo Jr praised the president’s resilience, noting that Ukambani’s 1.5 million residents stand to gain from over Sh10 billion in new investments announced Thursday.
“This is not about personal attacks; it’s about building a prosperous Kenya,” Kilonzo told reporters post-rally.
The visit wasn’t without lighter moments. Ruto shared a viral laugh when a middle-aged woman, Mary Mbithe, candidly admitted she had “never seen him before” despite the fanfare, prompting him to joke, “Even in Makueni, fame has limits.”
The exchange, captured on live streams, humanised the often-polarising leader.
Still, Ruto’s base remains solid; polls from Infotrak show his approval in Ukambani hovering at 62 per cent, buoyed by hustler fund disbursements totalling Sh500 million locally.
This Makueni address fits a pattern in Ruto’s playbook: blending biblical allusions with populist jabs to rally the faithful.
Similar tones marked his October Meru rally, where he likened critics to “prodigal sons” squandering national potential.
For ordinary Kenyans like Wote trader Jane Mutuma, who attended with her three children, the message resonated. “We’ve heard the rumours, but seeing him commit to our roads and schools? That’s what matters,” she said, clutching a branded cap.