Nyandarua County Senator John Methu has sharply criticized President William Ruto’s leadership style, following the recent arrests of Isiolo residents who heckled the Head of State during his visit to the region.

Speaking on a local media station on February 11, 2025, Methu expressed concern over what he described as an alarming response to public dissent, particularly regarding the government’s livestock vaccination program.

“It is a sad state of affairs if the president visits your area and the next day you’re being rounded up because the president feels like he’s unhappy that he was not received as he had expected,” Methu said, welcoming the court’s decision to release the arrested individuals without charges.

The senator raised alarm over reports of arbitrary arrests, citing an incident in which a resident recounted being detained while walking to a shop, accused of being part of the heckling group.

In a strong rebuke of the president’s recent public statements, Methu termed the response a disproportionate reaction to public criticism.

“I believe the President is suffering from an inferiority complex. There is no other reason why anyone would round up innocent people because he feels he wasn’t received as he would have liked,” he said.

Methu also took issue with the president’s choice of words during public addresses. He specifically referenced instances where Ruto referred to critics as ‘Wajinga’ (foolish) and dismissed advice from those who “don’t have PhDs.”

“It’s my opinion that President Ruto needs to take a step back, and he needs to reflect on himself as a symbol of national unity. Whatever words come out of his mouth, are they bringing unity to the republic? Are they giving him the respect that beholds the office of the president?” Methu questioned.

Ruto’s Isiolo incident

These remarks follow an incident on February 7, 2025, when President Ruto was met with hostility during the groundbreaking ceremony for the County Aggregation and Industrial Park project in Isiolo.

Tension escalated as residents began chanting ‘Ruto must go’ after comments made by Isiolo MP Bonaya Mumina Gollo.

In response to the hostile reception, President Ruto attributed the protests to drug traffickers retaliating against his administration’s narcotics crackdown in the region.

“I hear these drug dealers have brought youth to heckle us here. Listen carefully, young people – you cannot intimidate the Kenyan government,” he added.

Despite his efforts to maintain composure, Ruto’s attempts to introduce his allies were met with continued resistance as residents waved their hands in dissatisfaction and persisted with chants of ‘Uongo’ (lies).

Ultimately, the growing hostility forced the president to end his speech prematurely.

Apology

Following the heckling incident, Somali community elders formally apologised to President William Ruto in a media address on February 9, 2025.

Led by the chairperson of the Somali Council of Elders, Abdulkadir Shariff, they voiced their displeasure with the disrespect the Head of State received during his speech.

“Our main reason for coming out to speak today is as a result of what happened during the president’s visit while addressing residents at the Prisons land,” Shariff said.

Shariff stressed that the incident did not represent the values of the people of Isiolo or the Somali community.

“We are not happy about what happened especially we the Somalis and all the good people of Isiolo. There was no reason to heckle the Head of State,” he added.