Laikipia Woman Representative Jane Kagiri has urged both the government and opposition to allow leaders the space to speak freely about what they believe in, whether in praise or criticism of President William Ruto’s administration.

Speaking during an interview at a local radio station on Sunday, July 27, 2025, Kagiri insisted that no one would intimidate her or stop her from acknowledging the restoration of peace and security in the region under President Ruto’s leadership.

“I want to say allow us and everyone to speak freely and in the way they want. No one will stop me from saying that Ruto has brought back security in Laikipia,” she stated.

She took issue with critics who have dismissed the Kenya Kwanza administration’s work in Laikipia, accusing them of either being ignorant of the progress or possibly benefiting from the chaos that once plagued the region.

“Anyone who wants to lash out at me and say that Ruto has done nothing in Laikipia, unless they want to tell me that they were happy because of the deaths that were happening there. Or they come clean on whether there was a way they were benefiting from those burials,” she said.

Past clashes

Kagiri recalled a dark period when Laikipia was reeling from weekly clashes and insecurity that led to constant loss of lives.

She emphasised that things had changed significantly, especially for school-going children who can now attend school without fear.

“And now when I go around the county and I realise that children go to schools freely, and someone wants to come and tell me that the government has done nothing—let that person tell me if they were so happy when children in Laikipia used to stay home and not go to school,” she added.

She further appealed for mutual political tolerance, especially among opposing camps, saying that just as some leaders feel free to criticise the government, others should also be allowed to highlight its achievements.

“So what I’m trying to say is that we have been chosen as leaders. And so if there are things opposition leaders like Jayne Kihara are seeing that do not impress them about the government, let them also not stop me from speaking about the good things the government has similarly done for the people,” Kagiri noted.