NAIROBI, Kenya- Nyandarua Senator John Methu has doubled down on his controversial remarks directed at President William Ruto, insisting they were grounded in leadership responsibility, not defiance.
Speaking during a live interview on Citizen TV, Methu said leaders must not fear the presidency if they are to represent citizens effectively.
“I respect him as head of state… but if I fear him, I will not be a good leader,” he said.
His remarks come days after a dramatic public confrontation in Ol Kalou, where he told the President, “I do not fear you” during a funeral attended by rival political factions.
The incident, which saw his microphone briefly cut off mid-speech, exposed deepening tensions within the ruling Kenya Kwanza coalition.
“I am not the first person to tell a president nakuheshimu lakini sikuogopi. You have seen Ruto telling Uhuru he doesn’t fear him. I said it on the podium at Ol Kalou, it is not my work to clap for William Ruto, that is not what has been provided in this Constitution,” the Nyandarua Senator said.
“If you read cover to cover, you cannot see a provision that a senator is supposed to clap for the president, but you will see that a senator is supposed to play oversight on the national government
Methu maintained that his comments reflect constitutional oversight duties, arguing that senators are not elected to “clap for the president” but to hold government accountable.”
