Nyandarua Senator Methu Muhia has fired back at President William Ruto after the Head of State said he would not be intimidated by the “Wantam” slogan.

In a post on X on Sunday, August 10, 2025, Senator Methu told the President that it was Kenyans, not himself, who would decide whether he served more than one term.

“Mr. William Samoei Ruto was crying yesterday that he won’t be intimidated and won’t succumb to the Wantam slogan. We need him to know that he has absolutely no role in the same. The people made him President. The people will make him a resident, and he can do nothing about it,” Methu wrote.

His comments came a day after President Ruto addressed more than 15,000 Nairobi residents from 1,100 community groups at State House. The President dismissed the “Wantam” slogan as political intimidation from opponents without a clear agenda.

Ruto defends empowerment drive

Ruto used the event to defend his broad-based government model and announce an expansion of the Nairobi County Empowerment Programme. He said the government would give Ksh50,000 each to 70 young people in every ward to start small businesses, benefiting about 100,000 youth countrywide.

During the gathering, Ruto also distributed motorbikes, tents, catering equipment, water tanks, washing machines, and printing machines to small-scale traders. He accused critics of the Hustler Fund and other empowerment projects of offering no alternative solutions.

“These people are lecturing us from posh hotels and taking tea worth Ksh1,000 a cup. They do not know the problems facing hustlers at the grassroots,” the president said.

On politics, Ruto stressed that Kenyans would decide how long leaders remain in office, adding that he would not be swayed by slogans or threats.

However, Senator Methu’s remarks show that the “Wantam” slogan is not going away.