President William Ruto has downplayed the growing popularity of the “Ruto Must Go” and “One Term” chants that have increasingly featured at political rallies and public gatherings across the country, saying the slogans do not concern him and are part of Kenya’s democratic culture.
Speaking during a media roundtable in Wajir on Monday, the Head of State said Kenyans have every right to express their political opinions, including criticism directed at his administration.
“Must go, must come, must whatever, that is the beauty of democracy. You can say whatever you want. You can chant whatever you want, one term, Kasongo and all the others, but they do not bother me one bit,” Ruto said.
Chants Gained Momentum During Finance Bill Protests
The anti-government slogans gained national attention during the 2024 Finance Bill protests, which initially focused on opposition to proposed tax increases before evolving into wider criticism of government policies and leadership.
Despite the growing popularity of the chants among some sections of the public, President Ruto insisted that political slogans alone would not determine who leads Kenya after the next General Election.
According to the President, voters will ultimately make their decision based on a leader’s performance, vision, and plans for the country.
“The people of Kenya will assess every leader on account of their track record, of their vision for the nation and of their plan for the future of Kenya,” he stated.
Ruto Defends Government Performance
The President used the opportunity to highlight what he described as key achievements of his administration, particularly in the economy, agriculture, healthcare, housing, and education sectors.
Ruto argued that his government has made significant progress in stabilizing the economy by tackling inflation, exchange rate volatility, and high interest rates.
“Today I can face the people of Kenya and tell them, when I told you about the economy, I have sorted out inflation, I have dealt with exchange rates, interest rates, and today we have saved more money than ever,” he said.
Focus Shifts to 2027 Political Battle
As political alignments and campaigns gradually begin taking shape ahead of the 2027 General Election, the President maintained that his administration remains focused on delivering its development agenda rather than responding to political slogans.
His remarks come amid increased political activity across the country, with opposition leaders and critics continuing to use the “Ruto Must Go” and “One Term” slogans as rallying calls against the Kenya Kwanza administration.
Whether the chants will translate into electoral outcomes remains to be seen, but President Ruto insists he remains unfazed and focused on his government’s priorities.
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