Sotik MP Francis Sigei has apologised for his “one term” remark at President William Ruto’s rally in Kamureito, Bomet County, saying he misspoke due to excitement over the President’s visit to his constituency.
Sigei said the intended message was that Ruto deserves another term in office and not an endorsement of the “one term” slogan associated with the opposition.
The MP said he became elated after Ruto visited the area on Thursday to launch the construction of the Kipsonoi-Kamureito-Kapkelei Road, leading to the slip of the tongue.
“We had traversed various areas. I arrived late at the meeting when the event had already started, and there was too much excitement on my part that my tongue slipped,” Sigei said.
He insisted that his support for Ruto serving two terms was well known, saying he had never advocated for the President to serve only one term, either at public functions or during interviews with local radio stations.
Sigei said his remarks should therefore not be interpreted as a change in his political position or an endorsement of the opposition campaign for Ruto to serve only one term.
Addressing the press shortly after the event, the first-term lawmaker apologised to the President, saying he remained firmly behind the two-term push.
“On behalf of the people of Sotik, I want to tell the President to forgive me for the slip of the tongue,” he said.
The MP also claimed that residents of Sotik, including people from other parts of the country who live and conduct businesses in the constituency, support Ruto serving two terms.
Sigei made the controversial remark after Ruto gave him an opportunity to address residents during the rally.
He told the President that residents had eagerly waited for him to visit the constituency and welcomed the launch of the road project, which he said would open up the area and improve connectivity.
“The road that has been launched today will open up this area and we want to tell you one term,” Sigei was heard saying.
His remarks immediately drew jeers from the crowd, prompting Ruto to intervene.
The MP who addressed the press later sought to clarify the statement, saying the word “one” was not what he intended to say and that he meant to express support for Ruto’s bid to secure another term.
The incident comes amid growing political debate over Ruto’s 2027 re-election bid, with sections of the opposition pushing the “one-term” narrative as part of their campaign against the President.
Ruto is serving his first term after winning the 2022 presidential election and is set to defend his second term in 2027.
The President has in recent months stepped up development tours across the country, using public rallies to highlight government projects and appeal for support ahead of the 2027 election.
Sigei’s clarification is likely to draw attention in the South Rift, where political leaders have continued to mobilise support for Ruto’s administration.
