Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has responded to President William Ruto’s remarks that the current political unrests were not experienced during the Kibaki and Uhuru’s terms.

Speaking during a live TV interview on Thursday, July 10, 2025, Nyutu indicated that no president has avoided criticism.

“In the third year of former President Mwai Kibaki’s first term in 2005, the challenges during the time were unlike the ones we are faced with currently,” Nyutu observed.

Times have changed

“You cannot castigate your children for telling you to buy them shoes just because during your childhood, you did not request your father to buy shoes for you; times have changed, and now we have technology with us,” he noted

“A majority of people were uneducated, and the youthful population we currently have is a result of Kibaki’s free-primary education project. “

Nyutu equally stated that Kibaki was humiliated in the 2005 referendum, which he lost, and that retired president Uhuru Kenyatta equally had his fair share of frustrations.

“Kibaki also faced challenges in his tenure, beginning with the referendum of 2005, which he lost. It is dishonest to state, therefore, that it is only you who is facing criticism and challenges as the head of state,” Nyutu said.

“Additionally, retired President Uhuru Kenyatta was heavily criticized by our leaders from the Mount Kenya region, led by Ruto. So, there is no president who has never faced criticism in the history of this country.”

Onslaught

On Wednesday, July 9, 2025, Ruto lamented what he termed as an onslaught by a group of leaders on his administration.

Ruto said that people behind the recent violence and protests were mistaken to think that they could destabilise his government through unconstitutional means.

“I want to dare the characters who are now giving us lectures to try to decide the destiny of this country through unlawful means and turmoil. Moi was a president just like Kibaki and Uhuru; what is this protest for?” Ruto posed.

“Why didn’t they protest like this to Kibaki or Uhuru? What is the contempt and pride for now that I am the president?”