Kiambu Senator Karungo wa Thang’wa has told President William Ruto to extend his public apology beyond his daughter and include Kenyans, saying the same standard should apply to the public.

Speaking during a public event in Kajiado on Sunday, May 3, 2026, the senator referred to Ruto’s remarks at the Kalasha International Film and TV Awards, where the president apologised to his daughter for stopping her from pursuing film studies.

Karungo criticised the president for what he described as inconsistency in accountability, arguing that if he could admit a mistake to his daughter, then he should also do the same to Kenyans on broader governance issues.

“Jana, Kasongo akiwa katika awarding ceremony ya wale wanaitwa content creators, aliomba msamaha kwa mtoto wake,” Karungo said.

He added that the president had admitted to denying his daughter the chance to study film, a decision he later said was wrong after attending the awards ceremony at the Kenyatta International Convention Centre (KICC).

Karungo argued that such honesty should also extend to national issues affecting citizens.

“Sisi tunaambia Kasongo, vile uliomba mtoto wako msamaha, omba wa Kenya msamaha sababu umekula pesa yao,” he said.

Senator questions public spending

The senator further raised concerns over public spending and service delivery, accusing the government of failing to meet expectations in key sectors such as education and healthcare.

He questioned the cost burden on citizens, comparing what Kenyans pay in school fees and medical charges with what he termed unfair government practices.

“Aombe msamaha, hamutaki,” he said.

Karungo also criticised the state of education funding, saying many families continue to struggle while government systems do not support learners adequately.

“Watoto wetu wakiuwawa analipa three million; tukipeleka mtoto shule analipa fifty-three bob,” he said.

He further raised concerns about the Social Health Authority (SHA), claiming it is not functioning as expected and leaving citizens frustrated.

“Leo tunamwambia, vile uliomba mtoto wako msamaha, omba wa Kenya msamaha sababu ya SHA haiifanyi kazi,” he said.

The senator later said that residents in Kajiado had expressed dissatisfaction with the government and were no longer willing to accept apologies.

“Watu hapa Kajiado wamesema hata ukiomba msamaha, wanakupeleka nyumbani. Watu wamekataa msamaha,” he said.

Ruto’s Kalasha apology moment

His remarks come shortly after President Ruto’s appearance at the Kalasha Awards, where he publicly apologised to his daughter Chepng’etich for discouraging her interest in film studies after Form Four.

“One more thing. I must apologise to my daughter, Chepng’etich, this evening. She had asked me after Form 4 that she would want to do film, and I said no,” Ruto said during the event.

He later admitted that attending the ceremony changed his perspective, saying he had underestimated the creative industry.

“Watching what I have watched this evening, it was a mistake on my part,” the President said.