Outspoken lawyer and political commentator Ndegwa Njiru has urged Kenyans to unite in what he describes as a “Stand Up for Kenya” campaign, aimed at countering President William Ruto’s speech at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

In a strongly worded statement posted on his X account on Friday, September 5, 2025, Njiru declared that Ruto’s presence at the UN podium does not represent the will of Kenyans, but instead masks what he terms as “harsh realities” under the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“Stand Up for Kenya: Exposing Failure and Demanding Justice at UNGA. As Ruto takes the floor at the UN General Assembly to spew his usual lies, we Kenyans, both at home and in the diaspora, stand united in the Stand Up Campaign to expose the harsh realities his administration tries to hide,” Njiru stated.

He highlighted the plight of Kenyan citizens, linking the Stand Up movement to recent events of abductions, police violence, and growing insecurity.

“While he speaks, remember the abducted youth, the protesters shot down, the hungry families, and the terrorised border communities of Mandera,” Njiru emphasised.

Call for accountability

Njiru calls out the government for neglecting key national priorities, pointing to failures in health, education, and governance.

“Kenya is drowning in a failed health and education system, rampant corruption and blatant wastage in State House, escalating insecurity, and crushing hopelessness among our youth. We reject empty speeches and image polishing. What Kenya demands is accountability, genuine reform, and justice,” he declared.

He went on to insist that Kenyans will not remain silent while the government seeks international recognition.

“At UNGA, we will stand strong, refusing to be silenced until real change comes. At UNGA, we shall stand in solidarity and shout wantam-komboa kenya,” Njiru wrote.

Warning to the global community

The lawyer further called on the international community not to be swayed by what he described as polished but deceptive rhetoric from President Ruto.

“When Ruto speaks at UNGA, he will obviously not be representing the majority of us as our president; he will be representing the reality of a man who has failed his people, a man who has failed an entire nation,” he said.

Njiru’s post carried a blunt warning to world leaders: “The world must not fall for Ruto’s sweet, well-polished speech. It’s a lie, it’s a mere puff, and empty rhetoric.”

He concluded by mobilising both physical and digital resistance. “Those who can protest online must carry on with this campaign,” Njiru urged.

Njiru’s remarks now add to the growing chorus of voices critical of the government’s record, turning Ruto’s appearance at UNGA into not just a global diplomatic moment, but also a stage for domestic dissent.