National Assembly Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei has come forward to dismiss the growing calls for President William Ruto’s resignation, labeling it as nothing more than a media gimmick. The viral hashtag #RutoMustGo has gained traction in recent weeks, with many Kenyans expressing their dissatisfaction with Ruto’s leadership. The phrase has even been chanted at various public events, further amplifying the sentiment among a section of the population.
Speaking on a morning talk show, Shollei downplayed the campaign, arguing that such calls were being made for the sake of headlines rather than genuine political change. “When people mention Ruto must go, they’re trying to make headlines because the only way to remove a president is through an election or impeachment, and you need to have the grounds for it,” Shollei said. She pointed out that constitutional processes must be followed for such drastic measures, emphasizing that the idea of extending Ruto’s term limit, as suggested by Tiaty MP William Kamket, is impractical without a constitutional amendment through a referendum.
Kamket had recently stirred controversy by suggesting that those criticizing Ruto’s regime might face the consequences of a term extension, citing the long tenure of former President Daniel Moi. However, Shollei, a lawyer by training, dismissed Kamket’s statement, claiming it was rhetoric aimed at crowd mobilization rather than a serious proposal.
Despite Shollei’s dismissal, Ruto’s presidency has faced significant criticism since taking office. His administration has been accused of oppressing the very electorate that helped secure his victory. The discontent led to mass protests last year, some of which saw demonstrators breach Parliament. In response, Ruto’s government vowed to listen to the people’s concerns. Yet, as time has passed, some leaders within his circle appear to have returned to their previous, controversial ways, causing unrest among citizens once again.
As the Ruto Must Go movement gains momentum, it raises the question of whether this is just a temporary trend driven by media buzz or a genuine reflection of public discontent. Only time will tell whether the voices calling for change will have a lasting impact.
