'Pepo Chafu!' Ruto’s outburst shows criticism from Kenyans is getting to him

The Head of State has faced a tumultuous time since he placed the Bible down in September 2022, with numerous court cases challenging his projects and increased uproar from Kenyans online over the country's state of affairs.

His latest outburst in Taita Taveta County on Tuesday, December 3, showed that the president is visibly upset, wondering when the tables turned. 

In the run-up to his 2022 election victory, he was christened "David" synonymous with the shepherd boy in the Bible who rose to become king and liberated Israel. 

The president is now becoming a proverbial black sheep following massive opposition to his tax hikes and policies across health, education and administrative sectors.

Critics, including the opposition, have raised questions regarding some of Ruto's legacy projects such as Taifa Care (Social Health Insurance Fund), University Funding model, Affordable Housing, the national livestock vaccination campaign and the controversial Adani deals.  

 In response to the critics, he likened the dissent from the public to an evil spirit hovering over them. 

"Wakenya tafadhali, kuna pepo chafu ya kupinga kila kitu. Kiwanda kama hii, affordable housing, chanjo ya ng'ombe kuondoa magonjwa, kubadilisha mfumo ndo tuweze kuokoa university zetu, mambo ya afya wanaipinga. Nauliza hii pepo chafu. Imefika wanapinga ata matoleo kanisani, what is this, surely. yani pepo ya kupinga kila kitu," Ruto said during the groundbreaking ceremony for the Devki Iron Processing Project. 

The Head of State blasted his critics for opposing his project without providing alternative solutions to steer the country forward. 

"This spirit of opposing everything, tuombee nchi yetu. Wale ambao wanapinga kwa mitandao, tunawambia shetani ashindwe," he added. 

Depending on who you ask, Ruto is renowned for been a meticulous manager who keeps his cards close to his chest.

From the way he rode to power under the bottom up manifesto to the numerous tours across the country, he clearly perfected the script of endearing to the common mwananchi when he assumed office. 

But things haven't been going his way since then, taxes have gone up, fuel Value Added Tax (VAT) has doubled, and the new health insurance scheme is riddled with issues. 

These problems led to momentous anti-government protests that occurred between June to August 2024. 

The public's anger forced the government to retract Finance Bill 2024 that included more tax hikes. 

The church also openly voiced their frustrations with Ruto's administration and called on the president to get his act together. 

At the time, the president appeared to soften his stance and showed readiness to change his tact. 

"Tumewasikiza bishop wetu… Vile wametusahihisha hiyo makosa tutarekebisha,” he said in Embu on November 16, 2024. 

With the clock ticking by, the president knows that every move he makes will affect his re-election bid.

His allies have pleaded with Kenyans to give them time to work before criticising their policies but the public has downplayed the claims, citing that two years have already passed from their tenure.