President William Ruto has strongly responded to criticism from the United Opposition and sections of the public following his recent remarks that sparked widespread debate across the country.
Speaking on Friday, March 20, during an Eid-Ul-Fitr luncheon held at Kisumu State Lodge, Ruto defended his comments and made it clear that he would not back down.
He insisted that his statements were not disrespectful or unpresidential, as some critics had claimed. According to the President, his remarks were meant to encourage the opposition to focus on serious national issues rather than personal attacks.
“There is nothing unpresidential about what I said,” Ruto explained. “I simply advised them to watch their weight, and I did not insult anyone. My main message was that we should concentrate on policies and development matters, but they chose not to listen. Let me also make it clear—this is just the beginning.”
The Head of State went further to accuse opposition leaders of consistently attacking him over the past two years. He said that despite enduring repeated insults and criticism, any response from him is often misinterpreted and turned into a different narrative.
“Do not be distracted by what they are saying,” Ruto added. “I will handle them. I will deal firmly with those promoting tribalism and hate. For two years, they have insulted and abused me, but when I respond, they claim I am body-shaming them.”
Ruto maintained that he will continue speaking out against the opposition, especially on issues he believes have remained unresolved for years.
He pointed to past incidents such as killings, the discovery of bodies in rivers like River Yala, and cases where widows have allegedly been denied their rightful inheritance. According to him, these are serious matters that deserve attention instead of political drama.
“I have not used abusive language,” he emphasised. “They are the ones who started this. I will continue addressing these issues, even if it means dedicating part of my time to engage them directly.”
Meanwhile, the political tension comes at a time when a separate and deeply troubling case has resurfaced, drawing fresh public attention.
The family of the late blogger, Maureen Githaiga Kinyua, has officially written to the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (ODPP), requesting a new inquest into her death.
In a letter submitted on March 19, 2026, the family’s legal team outlined several reasons why they believe Maureen’s death in 2019 may not have been a simple road accident, as previously concluded.
Instead, they argue that it could have been a carefully planned act, possibly staged to look like a boda boda accident.
According to the details presented, Maureen was allegedly lured to the Mataga area by a female friend believed to have connections with a senior political figure from the Mount Kenya region.
Reports indicate that she remained there until the evening, and when she attempted to leave, the woman is said to have contacted her brother, who works as a boda boda rider, and gave him specific instructions on where to take Maureen.
This sequence of events has raised concerns about possible coordination. The situation became even more suspicious when the boda boda rider reportedly disappeared soon after the incident and only resurfaced after being called in by local authorities.
Further doubts have been raised about the condition of the motorcycle involved. The family claims that it showed no visible signs of damage, which contradicts the official version of events that described the incident as a road accident.
Another issue highlighted in the letter is a wound found on Maureen’s forehead. The family says this injury appeared to be a penetration wound, yet it was not clearly documented or explained in the post-mortem report, adding to their concerns about possible inconsistencies in the investigation.
In addition, Maureen’s mobile phone reportedly went missing after her death, which the family believes could have contained important information.
They also pointed to reports that the wife of the alleged senior political figure visited the scene shortly after the incident, briefly observed the area, and then left. This has further fueled suspicions of a possible cover-up.
Nearly seven years after the tragic incident, the family is now pushing for justice and a thorough review of the case, hoping that new investigations will uncover the truth.
Former Deputy President and leader of the Democracy for Citizens Party, Rigathi Gachagua, has since denied any involvement in the matter. He maintains that Maureen’s death was the result of a road accident that occurred near Sagana Catholic Church on May 24, 2019.
As the situation unfolds, the renewed calls for an inquest, combined with the ongoing political exchanges, continue to draw national attention, raising important questions about accountability, justice, and the tone of political discourse in the country.
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