Wiper Party leader Kalonzo Musyoka has criticized President William Ruto’s Jamhuri Day address, accusing him of failing to honor the spirit of Kenya’s independence struggle.
In a statement on Thursday, December 12, Kalonzo termed Ruto’s speech a “self-congratulatory ode” lacking the reflection expected on such a historic occasion.
“It is highly regrettable that, instead of the solemn and reflective national address it is supposed to be, the 61st Jamhuri Day message today was a self-congratulatory ode of pipe dreams and misinformation by President William Ruto,” he stated.
Kalonzo accused the government of misleading Kenyans through misinformation and claimed that the current administration has betrayed the vision of Kenya’s independence heroes.
“The speech was rich in fake facts crafted by a predatory Kenya Kwanza regime to mislead Kenyans. That is not the vision of our forebearers, who sacrificed to free us from the punishing and dehumanizing yoke of colonialism,” he remarked.
He further alleged that the Ruto government was creating an illusionary vision of development benefiting only a select few and called on Kenyans to reject what he termed the self-serving narrative of the Kenya Kwanza administration.
“Ruto’s illusionary BETA, whichever way you look at it, is founded on the opposite, that: freedom is gifted by Kenya Kwanza if you tow their line; ‘peace’ is nominally gifted should you become their mouthpiece; and economic prosperity is a track line limited to their immediate circle,” Kalonzo stated.
He added, “We must free ourselves from the self-serving shackles of this KK regime that thrives on lies, disinformation, and misinformation.”
Kalonzo’s criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration is not new.
On October 30, 2024, he accused Ruto of failing to address rising insecurity cases in the country. Speaking at the SKM Command Centre, Kalonzo held Ruto accountable for abductions, phone-spying, and extrajudicial killings.
“It is our contention that the President of the Republic of Kenya carries the biggest responsibility for police phone spying, state-sponsored abductions, hijackings, and extrajudicial killings. Despite overwhelming evidence, including that of Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua during the impeachment trial, Mr. Ruto continues to claim he is unaware of any such incidents,” Kalonzo alleged.
He added, “Ruto further says that these abductions and extrajudicial killings are ‘fake news and propaganda’ that are hurting our nation. We want to make it clear to Mr. Ruto that it is his ill-thought-out efforts to revert Kenya to a police state that are hurting the nation. The buck stops with him. Ruto should resign immediately for violating his oath of office to be faithful and bear true allegiance to the Republic of Kenya.”
