I’m ready to roll in the mud with you, Ruto tells Gachagua, Matiang’i

President William Ruto addresses wananchi after inspecting the progress of the Nangina affordable housing project in Funyula constituency, Busia county /PCS

President William Ruto on Wednesday signalled an escalation of personalised attacks and counter-attacks with opposition figures, saying he was ready to “roll in the mud” with his critics.

Ruto on Tuesday traded barbs with opposition leaders led by his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua in what is now becoming a high-stakes political combat.

Speaking during numerous stops in Busia County on Wednesday, the Head of State vowed he would not shy away from confronting his detractors head-on.

He accused opposition figures of inviting him to the personal attacks that have now snowballed into a bitter exchange.

Ruto at the same time, reiterated his administration’s commitment to delivering on its development agenda, insisting that political distractions would not derail his government's priorities.

“When our competitors rise to engage on issues, we shall meet them there with clarity and reason. But when they descend into insults and distraction, we shall not lose focus; we will dedicate only one per cent of our time to respond to them,” the President said.

“The remaining 99 per cent of our time is reserved for what truly matters: serving Kenyans.”

The remarks come against the backdrop of heightened political exchanges, with both sides trading barbs touching on each other's health and lifestyles.

The verbal combat exploded on Tuesday during the Western tour after Ruto fired back at his rivals in a dramatic shift from policy debates to sharp personal attacks.

The war of words was first ignited by Gachagua, who took a swipe at the President’s apparent loss of weight during a public address.

Ruto hit back with pointed remarks, dismissing his critics and accusing the unnamed leaders of ‘impregnating’ young girls.

He also accused some unspecified critic of disinheriting the family of his late brother.

“How can a person who manipulated the will of his brother to disinherit widows and orphans give us lectures? Ruto posed.

President also challenged some opposition leaders to go to the gym, stay fit and "avoid overeating".

“They started the insults. I am only responding,” he said.

Already, there are fears that Ruto’s readiness to engage in direct verbal combat with opponents could set the stage for a potentially bruising political contest that may come with a huge cost to the country.

Amnesty International Programs Director Victor Ndede cautioned the country risks being more polarised as top politicians go personal in public.

“What has happened in the last two days, you cannot then say that that would be a symbol of national unity. It polarises the country. It polarises individuals. It polarises certain ethnic communities,” Ndede said.

“Knowing how much we are far divided politically, those statements coming from political leadership as high as the president really serve against the good gains that we have wanted to make in Chapter Six of the Constitution on Leadership and Integrity.”

Speaking in Nairobi, Linda Mwananchi team led by Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna and Siaya Governor James Orengo also condemned the exchanges terming them ‘unpresidential’.

“We did expect something like what we saw on Tuesday coming from the level of presidency,” Embakasi East MP Babu Owino said.

Orengo and Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi termed the President’s utterances unfortunate and demeaning to his office.

“I want to remind the President that he took an oath; some of the utterances do not portray the President of the Republic of Kenya,” Osotsi said.

Orengo said Ruto must be ‘called to order’ terming his utterances enough grounds for impeachment.

“State officers, including the President, must conduct themselves in a manner that brings honour to the presidency and the nation,” Orengo stated.

Addressing the residents of Busia, the President said he is ready to take on the united opposition vowing to hand them an embarrassing poll defeat in 2027

“The other team have no plans, vision, they have nothing, their main agenda is William Ruto. I told them if Ruto is their only agenda then I am ready,” Ruto stated. “I will defeat them in the morning.”

Ruto was on day three of his Western tour, which has seen him visit Bungoma, Kakamega and Busia counties.

He was accompanied by Busia Governor Paul Otuoma, National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Teso South MP Mary Emaase.

During the tour, the President inspected the progress of the Nangina Affordable Housing Project in Funyula constituency.

“We have resolved the legal challenges that had delayed its implementation, and the project is now expected to be completed within the next six months,” he said.

He also launched the construction of the 15km Matayos-Nangina and Nangina-Sio Port-Mumbaka roads, which are being constructed at a combined cost of Sh773 million.

Ruto said the project is part of the government’s plan to improve connectivity and boost economic activity in the region.

The roads are expected to enhance transport to Sio Port and the surrounding areas, easing the movement of goods and people.

The President said infrastructure development remains key to unlocking growth, adding that the project will support trade and livelihoods in Busia and neighbouring counties.

“For many years, Kenya’s development was slowed by leadership that lacked vision. That era is behind us. Today, we are moving the country forward with deliberate investments in critical sectors,” Ruto said.

INSTANT ANALYSIS

Ruto’s readiness to engage in direct verbal combat with opponents underscores the deepening rivalry between the President and sections of the opposition, setting the stage for a potentially bruising political contest in the months ahead.