NAIROBI, Kenya – Political commentator Barrack Muluka has accused President William Ruto of practising tribal politics while publicly condemning leaders he considers tribalists, raising questions about ethnic mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.
Speaking during an interview with a local radio station on Monday, October 12, 2026, Muluka argued that the President’s public condemnation of tribalism contradicted what he described as his own political mobilisation along ethnic lines.
Muluka said Ruto could not credibly denounce tribal politics while, in his view, engaging in similar practices.
“William Ruto may come out there fulminating and doing all manner of holier-than-thou condemnation of people he calls tribalists, while deep inside he knows that he’s tribalist number one in the country,” Muluka said.
Muluka Questions Ruto’s Anti-Tribalism Stance
The commentator argued that condemning leaders for mobilising communities along ethnic lines was inconsistent if those in power were using similar approaches.
“He can’t condemn watu wanaita ati watu wakabila,” he said.
Muluka’s remarks come amid political discussions over regional alliances and ethnic mobilisation as leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 General Election.
He also cited Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi’s political activities in Western Kenya, questioning the role of ethnic networks in building political support.
“He has mobilised around his ethnicity, Musalia Mudavadi trying very hard to also go to Luhya land to mobilise,” Muluka said.
Muluka Calls For Independent Voting Decisions
Despite his criticism of Ruto and Mudavadi, Muluka expressed confidence that voters in Western Kenya would make independent political choices rather than automatically follow leaders who claim influence over the region’s voting patterns.
“Fortunately in Luhya land, where I come from, people who claim to be tribal kingpins and who tell us ati tutapiga namna hii, au tutapiga namna ile. Hapana,” he said.
Muluka added that voters should be guided by their own convictions rather than political figures who portray themselves as ethnic kingpins.
“We listen to our inner soul, and I know that people like Dennis here will tell us,” he said.
