President William Ruto has brushed off the opposition’s newly coined ‘Wantam’ slogan, declaring that political catchphrases will not derail his government’s agenda.
Speaking in Kapsabet town, Nandi County, on Saturday after attending the installation of John Kiplimo Arap Lelei as the first Bishop of the newly established Catholic Diocese of Kapsabet, Ruto ridiculed the slogan, likening it to past political chants that have since faded.
“Si tulikuwa na ingine ya Tibim, Tialala, sasa tuko na Wantam Kasongo,” he said to laughter and cheers from the crowd. “Tuta wanyorosha asubuhi na mapema. Kwa hivyo msikuwe na wasiwasi… Siasa ikianza tutawaonyesha kivumbi.”
(“We’ve had other slogans like Tibim, Tialala, and now we have Wantam Kasongo. We will deal with them bright and early in the morning. So don’t worry… When politics begins, we will show them who’s boss.”)
The President urged Kenyans to remain focused on the development projects his administration is rolling out across the country instead of being distracted by political theatrics. He assured his supporters that his team is well-prepared for any political battles ahead, stressing that service delivery would remain his most effective campaign tool.
Ruto underscored that while rivals may rely on catchy phrases to rally their base, his government’s track record in infrastructure, agriculture, education, and healthcare forms a solid foundation for his re-election bid. “Our work will speak for itself,” he said.
His remarks were delivered with humour and confidence, drawing applause from residents who had gathered in large numbers both for the historic church event and his address. The installation of Bishop Lelei was hailed as a spiritual milestone for Catholics in Nandi, attracting thousands of worshippers, clergy, and regional leaders.
By intertwining politics with a call for unity and development, Ruto sought to reassure his supporters that his administration remains steadfast despite mounting criticism from the opposition.
As political temperatures begin to rise ahead of the next electoral cycle, the President’s message was clear: slogans may stir excitement, but his government intends to let tangible achievements on the ground do the talking.
