Osotsi: Ruto has failed, now uses empowerment drives to buy support
By Emmanuel Rono, July 18, 2026Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi has accused President William Ruto of abandoning his governing responsibilities and instead using empowerment programmes to win political support ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during a Linda Mwananchi rally on Saturday, July 18, 2026, Osotsi claimed the president’s empowerment drives are used to lure Kenyans with small cash handouts rather than addressing the country’s economic challenges.
“William Ruto ameshindwa na kazi. Na ameona siku zake zimeenda. Sasa anatembea akihonga watu. Anasema anafanya empowerment, ati anaita vijana wa boda boda, wanawakalisha siku mzima alafu wanachanga pesa. Ile pesa wamechanga ukifanya hesabu, unapata mtu mmoja anaenda nyumbani na shilingi mia tano. Na ameshinda hapo siku mzima. Wanaita wamama, wanafanya hivyo hivyo,” Osotsi said.
Need to scrutinise the funds after 2027 opposition victory
The senator warned that a future administration would scrutinise funds spent on the empowerment programmes, alleging they were being used to influence voters.
“Sisi tunaambia William Ruto, hiyo pesa ambayo umeweka kwa empowerment ya kuhonga Wakenya, tukichukua kiti, tuta-audit hiyo pesa na tutaweka wewe ndani!” he said.
Osotsi also accused the president of attempting to influence politics in Western Kenya by working with regional leaders to counter the growing influence of Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna.
“Tunaona anatembea huko, ameeita wazee wa akina Atwoli, Mudavadi, wa mila Wetangula ati wanakuja kuzuia Sifuna. Sisi tunawaambia kwamba nyinyi wazee mlikuwa na nafasi yenu, wacha vijana waingie sasa,” he said.
UDA-ODM merger
The Vihiga senator further criticised the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM), claiming the party was now working hand in hand with President Ruto’s United Democratic Alliance (UDA).
“Jana tulikubaliana ile chama ya ODM ukiona ODM ujue hiyo ni UDA B. UDA A ni ile ya Ruto, UDA B ni hiyo ODM… maovu yote ambayo inafanyika Kenya sasa Ruto wanasaidiana na Oburu kufanya hayo maovu,” Osotsi alleged.
He urged former party leader late Raila Odinga’s supporters to rally behind the Linda Mwananchi movement, arguing that it had become the new political home for those seeking change.
“Kwa hivyo watu wote wa Raila Amolo Odinga, wale walikuwa wanaheshimu Raila, saa hizi mwelekeo ni Linda Mwananchi. Mwelekeo ni Linda Mwananchi,” he said.