President William Ruto faced unexpected tension in Embu County during his ongoing tour of the Mt Kenya region.
While he has been receiving warm welcomes across most counties, a section of Embu residents briefly turned hostile, loudly chanting “Uwongo, Uwongo!” — a Swahili word meaning “lies” — as he tried to speak.
This dramatic moment occurred on Friday, April 4, when the president arrived in Embu as part of his week-long visit to the region, known for its political influence and high voter population.
Although many residents had gathered and cheered his convoy earlier in the day, the atmosphere quickly changed when he attempted to address the crowd.
As he took the microphone, a visibly unsettled Ruto greeted the people and tried to set the tone by expressing gratitude for their turnout. “Praise the Lord! Kindly greet me, people of Embu, on air so I can hear you.
First and foremost, I want to sincerely thank you for welcoming us here in Embu today,” he said.
However, before he could go further, his voice was nearly drowned by the loud chants of “Uwongo!” coming from parts of the crowd.
Despite the vocal interruption, the president remained composed and pushed on with his speech.
He acknowledged the concerns of the people and outlined his four-point agenda aimed at addressing some of the region’s pressing issues.
Among the key matters he raised was the expansion of electricity coverage in the county.
“The first matter is about electricity,” Ruto said. “People of Embu, you told me that many of you still don’t have access to electricity. Is that true or not? I have come here to ensure that every household in Embu gets connected to electricity.”
The isolated backlash appeared to be directed not just at the president, but also at some of the leaders accompanying him.
However, aside from the brief drama in Embu, Ruto’s tour of Mt Kenya has largely been successful, with large and enthusiastic turnouts in other counties.
His efforts seem focused on countering claims that his support in the region is declining.
In recent days, the president has visited several counties in Mt Kenya, where he’s been welcomed by excited crowds, eager to hear his development plans.
His speeches have consistently focused on infrastructure development, youth employment, electricity expansion, and agricultural support.
The brief moment of hostility in Embu may signal growing frustration among some residents, but Ruto’s resilience and determination to engage with all areas — supportive or not — shows his commitment to reconnecting with grassroots communities.
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