'One-term MP anatuambia one term, you don’t know who you're dealing with!’ Ruto slams Gachagua

President William Ruto on Friday launched a fresh attack on opposition leaders, taking aim at his former deputy Rigathi Gachagua, Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka and ex-Interior Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang’i during a development tour of Nandi County.

The President accused the opposition leaders of engaging in propaganda and inciting unrest while defending Finance Bill, 2026 which was passed on Thursday night as well as the government's economic policies.

In a thinly veiled caution, the Head of State warned opposition leaders, accusing them of being behind the planned June 25 Gen Z protest anniversary demonstrations.

He reserved some of his sharpest criticism for the Democracy for Citizens Party (DCP) leader, who has recently intensified attacks against the Kenya Kwanza administration.

“Wale viongozi wanaendesha hiyo maneno wajipange vizuri kwa sababu huwezi panga vita alafu ungojee,” he said.

“Mwingine aliiba pesa ya relief. Mtu one-term MP anatuambia one-term. Wewe you don’t know who you are dealing with,” Ruto said in an apparent reference to Gachagua, who served one term as Mathira MP before becoming Deputy President.

President Ruto also took a swipe at Kalonzo, questioning the former Vice President’s legacy after decades in public service.

“Sasa wewe nakuuliza umekuwa kwa serikali kwa miaka 40 na kitu umejenga ni jela kidogo hapo kwako,” he said, referring to the Kithimani Prison in Yatta, Machakos County.

The President further criticised former Jubilee Deputy Party Leader Matiang’i, dismissing his recent criticism of the government and in a witty manner, questioning his record while in office.

“Mwingine mkutano kubwa inapangwa analala. Saa hii wanapanga maandamano. Kwanza utueleze utafanya memorial ya River Yala lini,” Ruto said, referring to allegations surrounding bodies discovered in River Yala during Matiang’i’s tenure as Interior CS.

On the deaths recorded during recent anti-government protests, Ruto said affected families would be compensated as part of efforts to move the country forward. 

At the same time, the President issued a warning to individuals engaging in violence during planned fiture demonstrations.

“Wale waliuawa kwa maandamano tutawalipa lakini tunataka kufanya hivyo ili tufunge hiyo chapter,” he said.

“Kama unaenda kwa maandamano na unabeba mawe na panga na marungu, wewe si mtu wa maandamano, tutakushughulikia. Huwezi enda kwa maandamano kuchoma mali ya wananchi."

Regarding the Finance Bill 2026, Ruto lauded MPs for passing it, saying, "Nawashukuru Wabunge wote waliopitisha sheria hiyo, history will remember you."

He dismissed criticism of the legislation, claiming opponents had failed to identify any provision that introduced new taxes.

“Waliulizwa kipengele gani inaongeza ushuru wakashindwa kwa sababu ni matapeli na ni waongo,” he said.

Consequently, he urged Kenyans to reject divisive politics as he defended his administration’s spending priorities, saying funds raised through the legislation would strengthen key sectors including healthcare and agriculture.

“Msikubali siasa za propaganda na chuki za kuwagawanya Wakenya. Kupitia hiyo Finance Bill tumeongeza pesa zinaenda kwa hospitali Ksh.100 billion,” he said, adding that the government had expanded farm subsidies beyond fertiliser to include seeds.

“Tulikuwa tunaweka subsidy kwa mbolea peke yake, sasa tumeongeza hadi mbegu,” he said.