President William Ruto has brushed off the increasing use of the phrase “Ruto Must Go” by some Kenyans, saying he is not concerned about it as long as the country continues to make progress.
Speaking on Saturday afternoon at the funeral of George Oduor, who was a former aide to Raila Odinga, in Ndori, Siaya County, the President said he is concentrating on serving Kenyans and improving their lives.
While addressing the crowd, Ruto took a subtle jab at his critics, making it clear that he will not be shaken or discouraged by the slogan or public backlash.
He said he is proud of the achievements his government has made so far, especially in education and other important sectors of the economy.
Ruto added that public criticism is something all leaders must deal with and reminded Kenyans that he is not the first leader to face such public resistance.
He gave examples of past presidents, including Daniel Arap Moi, who were also told to step down during their time in office. According to Ruto, the “Must Go” slogan has become a recurring trend in Kenyan politics.
“Being criticized is part of being a leader. Now people are saying ‘Ruto Must Go,’ and I have heard that song before.
There was a time people said ‘Moi Must Go,’ and the same was said about the leaders who came after him. These slogans come and go. It’s not a big issue,” the President said.
He went on to add, “People have called me all sorts of names like Kasongo and Zakayo, but I am not losing sleep over that.
My focus remains on doing what is right for the country. We must get our education system in order and manage devolution effectively.”
Despite the mounting criticism from a section of the public, Ruto emphasized that he remains committed to uniting the country.
He urged Kenyans to come together and work for the development of the nation, stating that progress can only be achieved when citizens are united.
The phrase “Ruto Must Go” first gained momentum during last year’s anti-government protests that were largely driven by the youth in June and July.
Since then, the slogan has become a common chant, not only in political events but also in public gatherings and online platforms. Many Kenyans now use it as a way to express their dissatisfaction with the current leadership.
However, the slogan has raised concern among some top government officials. Both the Director General of the National Intelligence Service (NIS), Noordin Haji, and the Chief of Defence Forces (CDF), General Charles Kahariri, have voiced their disapproval of the slogan.
On March 27, General Kahariri urged Kenyans to express their opinions in a peaceful and legal manner. He warned that any attempt to remove a sitting president should follow the proper constitutional process.
“We must not promote lawlessness. While everyone has the right to express themselves, it must be done within the law.
We cannot allow the exercise of individual rights to go so far that it endangers the unity and peace of our country,” Kahariri said.
President Ruto, despite the rising public chants and criticism, appears unmoved. His focus, he says, is on improving governance and ensuring every part of the country benefits from his administration’s development agenda.
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