Mogotio MP Reuben Kiborek has hit out at Mt Kenya residents, accusing them of being the ringleaders in the growing “Ruto must go” movement that has swept across the country in recent months.

Speaking during a church service in Kiambaa, Kiambu County on Sunday, April 13, 2025, the vocal lawmaker questioned why the region, which has produced two presidents, is now leading calls for President William Ruto to leave office.

“Didn’t I tell you I’m from Baringo? You know Baringo is where Moi comes from, right? Here in Kiambu, you’ve produced two presidents and led the country for 24 years; Mzee Jomo Kenyatta for 14 years, and Uhuru Kenyatta for 10 years. And our old man, Moi, served for 25 years, so aren’t we even?” he questioned.

He went on to criticize the perceived hypocrisy of Mt Kenya voters, who he said defended their own leaders when they were under pressure, yet are quick to call for Ruto’s resignation.

“But I have a bone to pick with you. When your leader was in power and there were challenges, you used to say ‘give the leader time to work.’ But during our time, you’re saying ‘must go.’ Why is it that when your leader has issues you say give him time, but when it’s our leader from Baringo, you say ‘must go?’ So let’s give everyone time,” Kiborek declared.

Kiborek used a familiar proverb to illustrate the idea of Kenya as a shared farm, urging residents to extend the same support to President William Ruto that they had offered to past leaders

“Back in the day, we used to go to our neighbour’s place to help weed their farm — did you have that? So we would all go as children to help weed the neighbour’s farm. But when it was our turn to be helped, all their children would suddenly fall sick. Don’t be like that. We weeded Uhuru’s farm for ten years, let’s also help Ruto weed his,” he said.

‘Ruto must go’ chants

His remarks come amid rising anger directed at Ruto’s administration, with the “Ruto must go” slogan becoming a symbol of resistance across the country.

The movement gained popularity in 2024, initially fueled by public outrage over the controversial Finance Bill. But it has since evolved into a broader expression of frustration over the high cost of living, corruption, poor governance, and heavy-handed tactics by state agencies.

On Mashujaa Day, October 20, 2024, a Deputy County Commissioner was heckled in Juja as he attempted to read the President’s speech. The crowd shouted him down with chants of “Ruto must go.”

A similar incident happened on October 11 during a funeral in Bibilioni village, Bahati Constituency. Nakuru Governor Susan Kihika faced angry mourners who interrupted her as she delivered a condolence message from President Ruto, once again chanting the now-familiar slogan.

Even seasoned political leaders have found themselves drawn into the momentum. On December 14, 2024, Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka led an entire stadium in chanting against the President during a football tournament organized by Machakos Governor Wavinya Ndeti.

Following Raila Odinga’s failed bid for the African Union Commission chairmanship, residents in Kondele, Kisumu, took to the streets on February 15, 2025, venting their anger at the President through protests and chants.

The movement isn’t confined to political rallies. On March 2, 2025, concertgoers at a Burna Boy show in Nairobi joined in the protest, and two weeks later on March 15, Kenyans in the diaspora echoed the same chants at a Bien concert in London.

Most recently, during the Kenya Schools and Colleges National Drama and Film Festival in Nakuru, students from Butere Girls’ High School walked out before their performance. The audience followed with chants of “Ruto must go,” turning the cultural event into a platform of resistance.