If I were to be president for 5 months, I would make a difference – Arap Kirwa
By Faith Lagat, December 8, 2025Former Agriculture Cabinet Minister Kipruto Arap Kirwa has claimed that he could transform Kenya in just five months if given the presidency, while launching a scathing critique of President William Ruto’s leadership and personal wealth accumulation.
Speaking in an interview on December 8, 2025, Kirwa argued that leadership should not be judged solely on age or prior positions held.
Kirwa vowed that even in the short term, his leadership would be marked by integrity and accountability. “You cannot compare Kirwa with William Ruto, who is the president. If I were to be president for five months, I would make a difference in Kenya. What will I do differently? I will make sure that there is no corruption and I will divorce myself of the national resources, knowing that whatever I’m getting as salary or as influence in the country is enough not to take a penny from the government,” he declared.
Rejecting comparisons
Kirwa dismissed attempts to compare his record with those of Kalonzo Musyoka or President Ruto. “Everybody’s saying Kibaki did this. You cannot compare Kalonzo Musyoka and William Ruto when Kalonzo Musyoka the only position he occupied was that of vice president. William Ruto is the president. Okay, give a chance to Kalonzo Musyoka to be president then now that comparative is likely to carry the day,” he stated.
He also rejected claims that his tenure as MP for Cherang’any could be weighed against Ruto’s achievements, saying, “You cannot say Kirwa has not done what William has done in his former constituency because I was not president in Cherang’any when I was MP for Cherang’any and therefore I did what an MP does.”
“So compare William when he was running CDF where all the money, all the materials were supplied by certain designated person so that he goes back to take some kind of cut.”
Criticising wealth accumulation
The former minister contrasted his modest wealth with the alleged vast land holdings of President Ruto. “You know, having been president for 24 years, Moi has only 52 acres, okay, in his home, which is a village that I lived in for 10 years. Today, ask yourself: how many acres does Ruto have in Taita Taveta? How many does he have in Narok? Interesting. How many does he have in Laikipia? The ranch is all right. For the next 30 years, he has 15,000 acres. When you talk of Galana Kulalu, it’s not the government project, it’s William Ruto’s project,” Kirwa cited.
“At times, I feel tired of discussing anything about this regime. This is a regime that has gone rogue and is destined to destroy this country.”