President William Ruto took the podium at the funeral of Baringo Senator William Cheptumo today, delivering a stirring plea for unity and patriotism that reverberated across the political landscape.
Speaking to a crowd of mourners in Baringo County, Ruto urged Kenya’s leaders to put the nation’s interests above all else, warning that a “don’t care” attitude could unravel the fabric of the country.
The president’s remarks came as he joined dignitaries and citizens to bid farewell to Cheptumo, a respected figure who died on February 15 after a battle with illness.
But beyond the eulogies, Ruto seized the moment to address a deeper malaise he sees gripping Kenya—a growing divisiveness that he believes threatens the collective good.
“We need to be patriotic about Kenya,” Ruto declared, his voice firm against the backdrop of a somber day.
“We can disagree on policies, programs, on how to implement, but we should never disagree about the destiny of Kenya. This is our country, and it doesn’t matter who you are or what you believe in.”
Ruto painted a picture of a shared fate: “If Kenya succeeds, we all succeed. If Kenya fails, none of us will succeed.”
He insisted that the nation belongs to every Kenyan, regardless of their background or beliefs, and called for a rethink of the reckless attitudes that he says are creeping into society.
“The belligerents’ ‘don’t care, everything goes’ attitude—we must rethink it,” he cautioned. “We may think it will affect others, but soon it will catch up with us as a nation.”
The head of state didn’t mince words as he rallied both political and religious leaders to take a stand. “Unless we, as leaders, stand up to this and be measured in what we do, it will haunt us,” he warned.
His message was clear: divergent views are inevitable, but they shouldn’t derail Kenya’s progress.
“I want to persuade us as leaders that we can find common ground on important matters that are good for Kenya, and we can work together to pursue those things,” he said.
The funeral, held at Arap Moi Secondary School grounds in Bartabwa, was more than a farewell to Cheptumo—it became a platform for Ruto to push his vision of a united Kenya.
He praised the late senator as a patriot and a committed leader, tying his legacy to the broader call for national unity.
Cheptumo, who served as Baringo Senator since 2022 and previously as MP for Baringo North, was lauded for his role in fostering peace and development, notably during the 2007 post-election crisis.
Ruto’s words land at a time of political flux. His broad-based government, formed after months of tension and protests, has been both a symbol of reconciliation and a lightning rod for criticism.
