NAIROBI, Kenya—Outspoken Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has attributed President William Ruto’s allies’ 2027 bravado to fear.
President Ruto’s allies have hinted at a plan to fix elections in 2027 if he does not get enough votes to win the poll. This would ensure he keeps power beyond one term.
However, Senator Sifuna said in an interview with one of the local media houses that those comments are based on fear.
“Now they are afraid that time has run out. They know the government is extremely unpopular; they can’t see anything on the horizon that they can do to reverse the government’s fortunes in 2027,” Senator Sifuna said.
Why President William Ruto’s allies feel he will extend his term in office
He called out the president’s allies, accusing them of speaking from a place of fear.
“It is only an animal that is afraid and that wants to attack people by showing its teeth and claws,” Senator Sifuna, the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) secretary general, further said.
With less than three years until the next general election, some MPs from President Ruto’s Rift Valley backyard have expressed confidence that the head of state will remain in power beyond 2027.
Led by Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, the leaders have also told off the president’s distracted, coming at a time of heightened criticism of the government.
Edwin Sifuna: The clearest indication that the people around the President have noticed that things are not okay is by listening to what they are saying. They are no longer parroting his perceived successes but instead threatening to violate the constitution #CitizenDayBreak…
Sudi says that the president is here to stay by hook or crook.
“In this country, no president has served for only five years. Is this the one who will be the first one? And what shall we be doing? Does this Kenya belong to you? Let me tell you, Ruto is not going anywhere; even if the votes don’t add up, we will fill them up,” said Sudi.
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In his own words, Sudi said, “Listen and listen carefully; a person from home doesn’t go around saying, ‘Ruto must go. No, there is nothing like that, do you hear me? Haven’t I told you? Do you think a door has hit us?”
Baringo North MP Joseph Maklap wondered why President Ruto’s distractors wanted him to leave power, yet they had not demanded the same from other presidents.
“We are saying that William Ruto must stay. It should not just be that he must go when the presidency comes to the Kalenjin. When it comes to other communities, no one complains about it. So, good news: William Ruto must stay,” Maklap said.
Sudi: Ruto Must Serve Two Terms President Ruto’s allies have hinted at a plan to fix elections in 2027 in a bid to ensure he keeps power beyond one term, if he does not get enough votes to win the poll. #NTVatOne @hellenaura1 @david_muthoka7
However, Senator Sifuna insisted that there is nothing like bringing back 24 years in favour of the presidency.
“This is not 1980; today, you pack and go when you lose an election. There is no place for you. This is not 2007, where someone loses an election and imposes himself on the people. So, let no one threaten us that they will reinvent the 24-year presidency; there is nothing like that,” he said.
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According to Senator Sifuna, the only thing that guarantees reelection today is for leaders to deliver on their promises and improve Kenyans’ lives.
“By doing all these, you will not have to fight with anybody; they will put you back in office. But in a way, you continue with how you are continuing, threatening the public that is very well informed on its rights, ignoring constitutional principles; you will be kicked out,” Sifuna warned.
The remarks on ensuring that Ruto doesn’t go home in 2027 came just days after Tiaty MP William Kamket hinted at a plan to extend Ruto’s stay in power to 24 years, 14 more than the constitutional 10 years.
“President, you know I am from the county of 24. The people of Baringo understand the issue of 24 years better; we are the ones who know how to make a president stay in power for 24 years. So, if they joke, we can ask your president to stay in power longer,” said Kamket.
These remarks are a fight back by President Ruto’s allies amidst sustained attacks against the president.
