‘You are fools!’ Ruto brags about his PhD as he berates livestock vaccination critics

President William Ruto is yet again on the spot for using what has been seen as unpresidential language to respond to critics opposed to the nationwide livestock mass vaccination campaign, calling them fools who do not have the range to address him due to their lack of adequate education.

During his third day in Garissa County as part of his Northern Kenya tour on Thursday, the President left many shocked with his insensitive remarks directed towards critics who are opposed to the vaccination of close to 80 million cattle, goats and sheep.

“Sasa kuna watu wengine wajinga wanatuambia tusichanje ng’ombe yetu tusipate soko la kitaifa. Si hiyo ni ukumbafu? Si tumekuwa tukichanja mifugo yetu tangu zamani?” Ruto posed.

Further, Ruto appeared to target Wiper leader Kalonzo Musyoka, who has been critical of the government’s vaccination drive, calling him a "ndengu man," loosely translated as a "mung beans man." Ndengu is a major cash crop in the Ukambani region, where the opposition leader hails from.

“Wewe unaenda kumsikiza mtu ya kupanda ndengu. ati anakuambia usichanje ng’ombe yako. yeye hana ng’ombe…hiyo ni mambo ya upumbavu na wakwende kabisa,” said Ruto.

In a quick, cryptic rejoinder, Kalonzo posted a picture of himself looking after his cows at his rural home, responding to President Ruto’s claim that he did not own any livestock.

The Head of State also directed his language at those he claims lack the range or the necessary academic credentials to correct him.

“Na mkiona wale wanalalamika ni watu sijui wamesomea wapi.Si mimi niko na PhD…si mimi naelewa nini inaendelea Kenya? Sasa mimi napata watu wako na elimu kidogo kidogo hapa wanajaribu kunifundisha, mnanifundisha kazi gani?” He posed.

In December last year, Ruto came under fire for using similar words to attack critics of the programme that had not yet been launched at the time.

“Anybody opposing vaccination to eliminate FMD and PPR is simply mad, unreasonable and possibly stupid,” he said then.

Earlier, the Head of State had been on the spotlight for claiming those who were opposed to other government projects were possessed by evil spirits.

However, Ruto continued with his unity call in the county, saying the agenda was unstoppable.