President William Ruto recently delivered a pointed and highly candid response to mounting opposition demands for his resignation, drawing a sharp line between substantive policy debate and what he termed "empty rhetoric." Speaking during the significant bell-ringing ceremony commemorating the listing of the Linzi asset-backed security at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), President Ruto directly confronted the slogans, challenging his critics to offer tangible solutions rather than just calls for his departure.
Acknowledging the inevitable cycle of leadership, President Ruto stated, "For sure, just like those who were there before me, I will go." Yet, he stressed that genuine leadership transitions should emerge from a fair contest of ideas and actionable plans, not from populist chants or emotional appeals. He then turned the tables on his detractors, posing a direct and fundamental question: "But respectfully, sirs and madams, let me ask you, what are your reasons for this call?” He dismissed the widespread chant of “Ruto must go” as insufficient, asserting its failure to address the nation’s pressing challenges or provide clear alternatives.
The president also likened the opposition’s approach to the notorious “wash wash” scams – a term in Kenya for fraudulent schemes that promise much but deliver nothing. He criticised their apparent lack of credible, well-thought-out proposals concerning the economy, job creation, healthcare, and education. "If your plan does better than mine on jobs, on the economy, on healthcare, on education, you should be bold enough to tell us," the President challenged. "What I hear is one chant: Ruto must go. That is not enough.” This sharp rebuke underscored his demand for substantive policy alternatives rather than vague criticisms.
The President further cemented his stance by defending his administration's ongoing reforms. He specifically called out those resisting new funding models in critical sectors such as health and housing, accusing them of being overly comfortable with old, dysfunctional systems that have historically failed the nation. "They want us to go back to NHIF? The old NHIF never worked. They want to return to the old university funding model? That crippled higher education. They want to abolish the housing program?" Ruto queried, implying that such resistance revealed a preference for a detrimental status quo over necessary change and progress.
President Ruto emphasized that for Kenya to move forward meaningfully, it must engage in a candid, nationwide conversation about its future. This, he argued, requires a shift from political slogans and personal attacks to a robust debate on ideas, policies, and tangible plans for national development. His challenge to the opposition is clear: if their vision for Kenya is superior, they should present it boldly and transparently, allowing the public to assess and compare.
