President William Ruto called for responsible leadership during a church address in Taita Taveta County.
Speaking in Taita Taveta, the President urged leaders to show restraint and questioned continued debate over the 2022 election without naming his predecessor.
President William Ruto has urged political leaders to avoid appearing drunk at public gatherings, calling for discipline and restraint in remarks that followed former President Uhuru Kenyatta’s criticism of his administration.
Addressing congregants at Mwatate Gospel Church in Taita Taveta County on Sunday, Ruto said leaders should demonstrate the standards they expect from the public, particularly young people.
He also criticised unnamed leaders for continuing to revisit the 2022 General Election through remarks he characterised as confused and incoherent. Although his comments came after Uhuru challenged the continued use of his name in political debate, Ruto did not identify his predecessor as the target.
Ruto calls for responsible leadership
The President said holding a position of influence came with an obligation to act as a role model. He argued that leaders could not credibly discourage children from drunkenness while appearing intoxicated at public meetings themselves.
His warning was framed as an appeal to leaders to recognise the effect of their conduct on people who look to them for guidance. He urged those in public life to exercise moderation and take their responsibilities seriously.
Ruto did not name any leader in connection with the warning about drunken appearances. His criticism of continued discussion about the last election nevertheless added to the public exchanges surrounding the political records of the current and former presidents.
Uhuru challenges continued focus on his name
At a Jubilee Party leadership handover in Nairobi on September 22, Uhuru questioned why he remained a recurring subject of political discussion after leaving office.
The former President argued that those who had taken over government should concentrate on development rather than repeatedly referring to him. He also accused governments of turning to blame and excuses when their efforts were not producing the expected results.
Reflecting on the 2022 transition, Uhuru said his administration had accepted the Supreme Court’s decision on the election outcome and transferred power peacefully. He pointed to the handover of the instruments of power as evidence that the outgoing administration had respected the transition.
Those remarks provided the backdrop to Ruto’s subsequent criticism, though the President stopped short of directly responding to Uhuru by name.
Shared responsibility for society
Beyond political conduct, Ruto appealed for wider participation in building a respectful and stable society. He said the government had responsibilities, but parents and citizens also had a part to play in shaping behaviour and values.
The President called for cooperation among public authorities, religious leaders, families and communities, arguing that government action alone could not resolve every social challenge.
The latest remarks come as political parties and leaders prepare for the 2027 General Election, with Ruto and Uhuru continuing to publicly discuss their records and their respective roles in the country’s politics.
