Nairobi leaders defend Ruto amid backlash over bristling attacks on opposition

A section of Nairobi leaders, led by Nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, have come out in strong defence of President William Ruto following a wave of criticism from opposition coalition leaders and the public.

This comes following the backlash stemming from the president’s recent remarks directed at the opposition during his developmental tour of Western Kenya.

Speaking in Nairobi on Friday, March 20, 2026, during a food aid distribution exercise for Muslim faithful, the leaders argued that the president was justified in his response.

They accused the opposition of consistently using insults and propaganda against the Head of State for over two years, forcing him to face them head-on finally.

“Anapofungua mdomo, huzungumzia masuala muhimu kama barabara, SHA, nyumba na ajira kwa vijana wetu. Lakini upande mwingine, kazi yao imekuwa ni kumchokora kwa uongo kila siku, propaganda na matusi, wakimshambulia rais mara kwa mara,” Nyamu said.

Lossely translate, “Whenever he speaks (referring to Ruto), he addresses key issues such as roads, SHA, housing, and jobs for our youth. But on the other side, their work has been to provoke him with lies, propaganda, and insults, constantly attacking the president,” Nyamu said.

Nyamu dismissed the opposition’s outrage, claiming that Ruto replied to them only once, and they are already crying out.

“Rais amewajibu mara moja tu, na sasa wote wanalia kana kwamba wanataka kupelekwa ICU,”  Nyamu said.

“The President has only answered them once, and now they are all crying as if they want to go to the ICU,” Nyamu said.

No to divisive politics

Lang’ata Member of Parliament, Phelix Odiwuor called for an end to protests and divisive politics, urging the opposition to respect the presidency if they expect presidential conduct in return.

“Hatutaki sioasa za kupangwa tena na kitu kubwa hatutaki siasa  za kuridi kwa barabara ka maandamano, watu wetu wameumia kwa muda na tumeamua kufanya kazi bila break,” Odiwuor said.

“We don’t want the politics of being planned for again. We don’t want the politics of returning to the streets and demonstrations. Our people have suffered for a long time, and now, we have decided we are working without a break,” Odiwuor said.

President Ruto vs Gachagua drama

These remarks come after the insult between Ruto and Gachagua erupted during various public gatherings by the key politicians.

Ruto, while speaking in Cheptais, Mt Elgon, on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, has hit back at former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua over recent remarks about his weight loss.

He urged his former deputy to focus on fitness, quipping that Gachagua’s ‘big belly’ could be behind his struggles to stay awake during official meetings.

“Kwanza nawaambia baadhi yenu mwende gym; acheni kula chakula kingi. Matumbo yamejaa hadi vichwa vinakaribia kupasuka. Mnalala kwenye mikutano hata mchana,” Ruto said.

Gachagua on Ruto’s lost weight

On Monday, March 16, 2026, during the funeral of Kiambu Senator Karungo Thang’wah’s mother, Gachagua trolled President Ruto, claiming that he has lost weight because the opposition is giving him sleepless nights.

He teased that the United Opposition had managed to get into the President’s psyche with the constant criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Gachagua said the opposition has managed to get into the president’s psyche through constant criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration.

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