President William Ruto has brushed aside intensifying calls for his resignation, labelling the viral ‘Ruto Must Go’ and ‘Wantam’ slogans as hollow rhetoric lacking substance or viable alternatives.
Speaking at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) on Wednesday, Ruto questioned the motivations behind the growing public dissent, which has dominated street protests and social media platforms over the past two years.
“Just like those who were there before me, my time will come and I will go,” he said. “But, respectfully, sirs and madams, what are your reasons for this ‘Ruto must go’?”
The President, who came to power in 2022 on promises to uplift ‘hustlers’ and reduce the cost of living, has faced persistent protests, particularly from youth, over the soaring cost of living, unemployment, tax hikes, and sweeping policy reforms. Demonstrators, accusing him of backtracking on campaign pledges, have coined the term ‘Wantam’, a play on “one-term”, to brand him as a one-term president.
But Ruto on Wednesday dismissed the slogans as political noise, asserting they lack credible policy alternatives.
“Maybe you don’t agree with the policies and plans I have for our nation, which is okay. But please, would you kindly favour us with your alternative plan?” he challenged. “You cannot replace a plan you don’t like with nothing… To me, that sounds like ‘wash wash’ conmanship.”
He called on his critics to table practical proposals on economic growth, education, health, and job creation, asserting that slogans alone won’t steer the country forward. “Be bold enough to tell us. ‘Wantam’, ‘Kasongo’, and ‘Ruto Must Go’ are not enough!”
Defending his contentious reforms, Ruto pointed to the new university funding model, the Social Health Authority replacing NHIF, and the Affordable Housing Programme as necessary disruptions to entrenched failures.
“The NHIF never worked. The old university funding model crippled our education system,” he stated. “Reforms disturb the familiar. But aiming higher invites scrutiny, suspicion, and resistance, and that’s the nature of bold change.”
With 2027 on the horizon, Ruto’s comments reflect a strategic push to reframe criticism as political theatrics and reinforce his reform agenda as the only viable roadmap to national transformation.
Written By Rodney Mbua
