Jubilee Deputy Celebration Chief Fred Matiang’i has fired again at President William Ruto following the president’s feedback in regards to the bodily look of opposition leaders.
Whereas opening a Jubilee Celebration workplace in Narok on Tuesday, March 17, 2026, Matiang’i informed Ruto to cease reducing the standing of the presidency by specializing in debates about meals and health.
President Ruto had earlier poked enjoyable on the opposition throughout his tour of the Western area in Cheptais, Mt Elgon. He advised that opposition leaders ought to hit the gymnasium, claiming their “big bellies” would possibly clarify why they appear to battle to remain awake throughout official conferences.
“Kwanza nawaambia baadhi yenu mwende gym; acheni kula chakula kingi. Matumbo yamejaa hadi vichwa vinakaribia kupasuka. Mnalala kwenye mikutano hata mchana,” Ruto stated.
Matiang’i replied that whereas he respects the presidency, the Head of State’s remarks deeply troubled him. He questioned why Ruto felt the necessity to fear in regards to the dietary decisions of opposition leaders.
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“Rais wetu mimi namheshimu, na naheshimu ofisi yake. Ndio maana mimi sijaongea mambo yake mbeleni. Lakini leo ameanza sasa kututusi sisi, watu wote wa opposition,” he stated.
The previous Inside Cupboard secretary burdened that six a long time after independence, Kenya deserves leaders who prioritize pressing nationwide issues as a substitute of launching private assaults over physique form and weight loss program.
“Yaani, nchi yetu leo, six decades after independence, ati at a presidential campaign level, tuanze kuongea mambo ya kukula. Ati nani anakula zaidi, nani anakula wapi. I am doing this with a lot of pain.”
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He went on to defend his personal consuming habits, joking about his journeys dwelling for native meals and questioning why Ruto appeared so bothered by his plate.
“First of all, mimi sijui kwanini unasumbuka vile mimi nakula, kwa sababu mimi sikuli kwa bibi yako. Hujaniona nikienda kutafuta chakula kwa bibi yako ama kwa watu wako. Mimi nakula ndizi kule Kisii kwetu na ugali. Sasa kama hiyo ndio inakusumbua, mbona mimi sijakuja kukuuliza vile wewe umekonda?” Matiang’i quipped.
Matiang’i reminded Kenyans of the excessive requirements set by former presidents Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, and Uhuru Kenyatta. He argued that the presidency ought to preserve its dignity by specializing in nationwide issues moderately than private jabs.
“Tuko na heshima kubwa kwa hii nchi, na ile standard imeekwa na waliotangulia, Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki na Uhuru Kenyatta; hiyo ndio standard tunataka kwa hiyo ofisi ya rais. Lakini sasa unataka kuibua mjadala wa kukula, ili sasa tuanze kusema ni nani amekula mashamba hapa Narok. Unataka tuongee hiyo kweli?” he stated.
The previous CS challenged the President to handle the nation’s precise struggles as a substitute of beginning a debate about physique weight. He pointed to lacking SHA funds and the continuing theft of public sources as the actual points demanding consideration, noting that the opposition has practiced nice restraint till now.
“Tumbo lisiloshiba linajulikana ni la nani. Unataka twende kwa huo mjadala badala ya kuzungumzia shida za wakenya. Pesa imepotea ya SHA, upororaji wa mali ya serikali unaendelea, unataka tuzungumzie hiyo kweli? We have really restrained ourselves.”
