Ruto fires back at critics in Meru, warns school unrest perpetrators of consequences

Speaking before a charged crowd, President Ruto issued a stern warning to students involved in school unrests that have rattled learning institutions across the country.

"We have seen unrests in schools. Know that choices have consequences," he said.

He also directed a message at parents, urging them to take a more active role in their children's upbringing rather than leaving it entirely to schools.

"A school can educate a child but it cannot raise one. Be present in your child's life," he said.

On education staffing, President Ruto announced that the government had set aside funds in the current budget to recruit 24,000 teachers, a move he said would address persistent shortfalls in the sector.

The President also announced that village elders would begin receiving government stipends from July 1, tying the benefit to accountability. He said chiefs, assistant chiefs, and village elders would be held responsible for ensuring government projects functioned as intended in their areas, and that having school-going children idle at home on their watch would be treated as a failure of duty.

On infrastructure, Ruto announced that the government had allocated Ksh. 7 billion for the construction of the Nithi Bridge, a project he said had stalled for close to three decades.

"The contractor is already there. We have completed compensation. This problem has been there for 30 years," he said, dismissing what he described as trivial questions from critics about the project.

President Ruto also pushed back against those opposing plans to construct a State Lodge in Meru, telling them bluntly to drop their objections.

On the question of his travel schedule, which has drawn criticism from some quarters, Ruto was combative.

"I will continue travelling Kenya. I do not ask for anyone's permission. I do not ask for anyone's time," he said.

He appeared to take particular exception to those monitoring his movements, saying his time and legs belong to no one but himself.

The President also took a swipe at the opposition, accusing unnamed political actors of celebrating when Kenyans did not go to work during recent protests, a reference to the Gen Z-led demonstrations that disrupted normal business.

"The way they never worked for Kenyans for 50 years, they celebrated when Kenyans did not go to work the other day," he said.

On the political rivalry front, Ruto warned opponents that the government would neutralise those banking on ethnic politics and divisiveness.

"We will shock our competitors. Those travelling with tribalism and malice, we will finish them early in the morning," he said.

He dismissed the opposition as lacking any substantive agenda, describing their work as "propaganda and tribalism," and defended Deputy President Kithure Kindiki against what he described as attempts to embarrass him.

"Those trying to embarrass my deputy, this Professor will show them," Ruto said.

Deputy President Kindiki also addressed the rally, mocking suggestions that the ruling party should move to the opposition before returning to government.

"There are people telling us to leave government, go to the opposition, and then come back to government. Isn't that foolishness?" he said