Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has raised concerns over the political future of President William Ruto and his allies, suggesting that their chances of securing a second term are dwindling. Speaking on Spice FM, Sifuna pointed out that political leaders close to Ruto are now operating from a position of fear due to the growing discontent among the public.
“The biggest political change we’ve seen in the past year and a half is the realization by the mwananchi (citizen) that they hold more power than their leaders,” Sifuna remarked, emphasizing how this shift in public consciousness has weakened Ruto’s political position. He continued by noting that the public’s growing disillusionment with Ruto’s administration has eroded confidence in his leadership, raising doubts about his ability to secure re-election in 2027.
Sifuna pointed to the youth-led uprising in June 2024, when Kenyans stormed Parliament during anti-government protests, as a key turning point. This event, he argued, permanently altered the political landscape, forcing leaders to abandon their traditional air of superiority. “For a long time, we in elected leadership held ourselves out as more knowledgeable than the people, but after June 25, Kenyans realized they are powerful,” Sifuna said.
The senator’s comments reflect a broader sense of unease within Ruto’s camp. Allies of the President, like Kapseret MP Oscar Sudi, have tried to downplay criticism, with Sudi mocking online critics and insisting that Ruto is not going anywhere. Similarly, Daadab MP Farah Maalim rejected the idea of Ruto being a one-term president, declaring at a rally that the President would serve until 2032, dismissing detractors as “fools.”
While Ruto’s allies remain defiant, Sifuna’s remarks underscore a growing political reality that the path to a second term may not be as certain as they once believed. With public confidence eroding and the political tides shifting, Ruto’s second-term prospects are no longer guaranteed.
