President William Ruto and Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna have found themselves in an increasingly public war of words, with the two trading barbs over the opposition agenda, government policies and the 2027 election.
What started as criticism of the opposition has increasingly turned into direct exchanges between the President and the senator, with each using public rallies and parliamentary proceedings to respond to the other.
Ruto has repeatedly challenged the opposition to explain what it would do differently if it took power, accusing its leaders of having no clear plan for the country.
During his recent political engagements, the President has questioned what he says is the opposition's reliance on slogans and attacks instead of policies.
“Wako na sera gani? Wako na mipango gani? Wako na agenda gani?” Ruto asked his critics during one of his recent addresses.
He has also taken issue with Sifuna's criticism of the affordable housing programme.
After Sifuna questioned the housing levy and the government's approach to the programme, Ruto hit back during his Nyanza tour, asking what would happen to young people working on housing projects if the programme was stopped.
“Wale vijana milioni moja nukta moja wanaofanya kazi katika mpango ya housing na markets na hostels, mtawapeleka wapi?” Ruto asked.
He also dismissed Sifuna's suggestion that some of the houses could be allocated to police officers.
“Mnasema ati mtagawanya haya manyumba kwa polisi. Wacha niwapashe habari. Polisi tumewapangia manyumba elfu ishirini tayari,” the President said.
Ruto then challenged Sifuna and other opposition leaders to produce their own plan.
“You have no capacity. You have no way and you have no capacity to discuss housing because you have no plan, you have no agenda, you have no programme,” he said.
Sifuna has responded in kind, turning the criticism back on the President and questioning the government's spending priorities.
Speaking in the Senate, he said the opposition's immediate task was to remove the Kenya Kwanza administration and restore what he called meritocracy in government.
“We are being told that Sh12 billion was spent on hospitality at State House, in a country where we are told we have no cash for capitation. So those of you who ask us for a plan, ours is to send you home,” Sifuna said.
He said an opposition administration would cut what he described as unnecessary government spending.
“I believe in the first 100 days after we kick this government out, we should be able to cut out the fat that is being utilised at State House so that we can pay our teachers and fund our hospitals,” he said.
The exchanges took a more personal turn after Ruto referred to his political opponents as having been advised by a “sponsor” and waganga to concentrate on insults rather than policies.
“Wale majamaa, wamesema wameambiwa na sponsor, sijui na waganga eti hawahitaji sera, hawahitaji mipango, hawahitaji agenda, eti wanahitaji matusi na kisirani,” Ruto said.
Sifuna responded at a Linda Mwananchi rally at Jacaranda Grounds in Nairobi, accusing the President of returning to the kind of political insults he had previously directed at opposition leader Raila Odinga.
“Saa hii anatuita waganga, kidogo atasema sisi ni watu wa vitendawili, kidogo kidogo atasema sisi ni watu wa kung’oa reli,” Sifuna said.
He then delivered one of his strongest political attacks on the President.
“William Ruto, you are going to be the first one-term president in the Republic of Kenya,” Sifuna told the crowd.
The exchanges have come as Sifuna takes a more prominent role in opposition mobilisation, including through the Linda Mwananchi movement, while Ruto has stepped up his political engagements across the country.
The President has used his development tours to defend his record and challenge his opponents to put forward alternative policies.
Sifuna, meanwhile, has continued to attack the administration over spending, devolution and government programmes.
Their exchanges have consequently become part of the wider political conversation, with policy arguments often followed by personal responses and counter-attacks.
