RUTO IN HOT SOUP FOR ALLEGEDLY INSULTING KALONZO

President William Ruto is facing mounting criticism following a series of remarks made during his tour of the Ukambani region, comments that Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti says directly undermine Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and, by extension, the Kamba community.

Addressing congregants during the traditional wedding ceremony of New Life Prayer Centre Church Pastor Ezekiel Odero and Pastor Sarah in Kikumini, Emali, Governor Ndeti accused the President of openly belittling region's leadership.

Wavinya said that Kalonzo is widely regarded as the region’s political figurehead, and therefore any insult aimed at him is taken personally by the community.

“Ruto ameonyesha Wakamba madharau sana. Anakuja hapa Ukambani kututukana sisi; ukitusi Kalonzo ni sisi umetusi. Ukiambia mtoto baba yako hana akili, inamaanisha wewe kama mtoto, mama yako na kila mtu katika ile familia hana akili,” she said.

Which loosely translates; “Ruto has shown great disrespect to the Kamba people. When he comes to Ukambani and insults Kalonzo, he’s insulting all of us. If you tell a child that their father has no brains, you are saying the same thing about the entire family.”

Flanked by Wiper Front Party boss Kalonzo Musyoka, Deputy Majority Leader Owen Baya, B and other dignitaries, the governor said the community will not remain silent in the face of what she described as escalating verbal attacks.

“Arrogance is a terrible thing. I know Kalonzo cannot go to Sugoi to insult Ruto because he is a man of honour and fears God. But Ruto comes here to belittle him,” she added.

Ndeti also confirmed that she intentionally skipped President Ruto’s public engagements in Machakos, saying it would have been contradictory to sit with someone she believes is ridiculing her community.

“I did not attend; when someone comes to insult our father, why would I go and sit with him—do what together? They think Kalonzo is quiet, that he is a diplomat, so they just take him for granted. I just want to tell you that the one you are disrespecting is the same one who will come and finish this matter,” she said.

She further emphasized that her allegiance to the Kamba community outweighs political etiquette.

“If you disrespect my community, I am a daughter of this community and if you insult us, I am sorry but I have no business with you even if you are the president; respect my people and I will respect you,” she stated.

The uproar stems from President Ruto’s four-day development tour across Makueni, Kitui, and Machakos, where he repeatedly used harsh language against his critics—words that have sparked widespread condemnation.

During several stops, the President dismissed opposition leaders as “fools” and “brainless,” despite his public calls for leaders to refrain from insults.

“Mtu ambaye mpango hana. Sera hana ajenda hana. Akili hana. Huyo ni mtu wa kuchagua?” he told supporters at one rally.
This going as;
"A person with no plan, no policies, no agenda, no brains—how can that be someone you choose?”

In Kitui, he intensified the rhetoric with another biting remark:
“Mpango hawana. Sera hawana. Hata akili… alaa kwani mnawajua? Salaale.”
“They have no plan, no policies, not even brains… do you even know these people? Goodness.”

He also referred to opponents of his broad-based government model as “wapumbavu” and “wajinga”—a pattern that has become more frequent in his recent public appearances.

Just months earlier, he used similar language while defending the livestock vaccination programme, calling those questioning it “wajinga.”

Moreover President Ruto launched the Ukambani tour on November 12, commissioning bridges in Kasikeu and Mikuyu, issuing title deeds, and launching the Emali-Ukia Road in Kibwezi West.

He insisted that his development agenda remains inclusive, saying the government is focusing on projects that empower rural communities.

“We are implementing infrastructure development projects that meet the immediate needs of our citizens, unlocking the economic potential of our rural communities, and driving inclusive growth from the bottom up,” he said.

Ruto added that no region would be sidelined:

“Our goal is to ensure that every part of our country, including Makueni County, where development has lagged for far too long, is not left behind as we work to transform Kenya into a prosperous nation,” he stated.

Ruto’s tour of Ukambani was widely interpreted as an attempt to court Kalonzo Musyoka, despite the Wiper leader having repeatedly ruled out any possibility of working with the President. Political observers note that Kalonzo holds significant influence and could deal a major blow to Ruto’s 2027 prospects if he rallies opposition forces around a unified front — a concern amplified by signs of declining support for the President nationwide.

During his Kitui stop, the Head of State was met with loud “Wantam” chants, a gesture many interpreted as clear evidence of the community’s political leaning and its loyalty to Kalonzo.

Even so, President Ruto has consistently projected confidence, insisting he can stage an early comeback in the 2027 presidential race. Yet analysts maintain that a Kalonzo-led united opposition remains a formidable hurdle.