Former presidential aspirant Reuben Kigame has launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto’s administration, warning that the damage inflicted on Kenya in just three years will take decades to reverse.

In a statement posted on his official X account on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, Kigame said the Kenya Kwanza government had dismantled systems and values that took generations to build.

“The amount of damage the Kenya Kwanza government of William Ruto has done to the nation of Kenya in three years will take many decades to fix,” he wrote. “We need laws that can sufficiently punish those who destroy what has taken centuries to build and restitute in a manner that gives back to posterity.”

His latest remarks build on a series of statements in recent weeks in which he has accused the government of fostering division, eroding public trust, and prioritising political loyalty over competence.

On August 5, Kigame urged Kenyans to reject “tribal lords” and instead work towards national unity and merit-based governance. He said political elites had turned leadership into “a numbers game” that excludes vast sections of the population.

“We must be proud of our cultural diversity, but it’s time we stop using that diversity as a tool for exclusion,” he said then, adding that a government should reflect the “face of Kenya… not just by tribe, but by competence and integrity.”

Kigame warns against political loyalty

Earlier this month, he also cautioned citizens against fighting for politicians, noting that rival leaders often maintain cordial ties despite their public differences. Kigame said Kenyans should “grow up” and focus on issues that directly affect their lives rather than defending leaders who “meet, laugh, and protect each other.”

Kigame’s latest warning comes amid increasing criticism from opposition figures, including Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who on August 9 vowed to block President Ruto’s bid for a second term. Both leaders have emphasised the need for accountability and systemic reforms to safeguard the country’s future.

While Ruto’s allies have defended his administration’s record, saying the reforms being implemented will yield long-term benefits, Kigame insists that urgent corrective action is needed to restore Kenya’s institutions and protect national heritage.

“This is about the future of Kenya,” he said today. “If we allow this trend to continue, we will have nothing left to pass on to the next generation.”