Ruto mocks Sifuna’s TEP party as he tours West Pokot

Ruto mocks Sifuna’s TEP party as he tours West Pokot

President William Ruto has taken a swipe at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over the launch of his political party, questioning its viability as the opposition grapples with the search for a presidential candidate ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Without mentioning Sifuna by name, Ruto appeared to refer to the senator and the Equitable Party (TEP), which he unveiled in Nairobi on October 4 and whose members have named him their preferred presidential candidate.

The President mocked the party as empty, questioning its ability to win public support and accusing its leadership of seeking small contributions from women while allegedly spending time drinking.

“Niliona mwingine Mr Empty, alienda kulaunch chama inaitwa the Empty Party akatoka hapo akaenda moja kwa moja mpaka kwa bar, mara ya mwisho tulimwona na Kofi Olomide na meza imejaa pombe kali ile ya jina mbili mbili sijui Jonny walker, sijui Jonny natembeya sijui nani, huko ndiyo tulimwona mara ya mwisho,” Ruto said.

Recently, Sifuna hit back at President William Ruto over his references to him as “Mr Empty”, accusing the Head of State of targeting allies of the late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga.

Speaking during the burial of Mwalimu Jackson Karua, father of People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua, in Kirinyaga County on October 3, Sifuna questioned why Ruto had shifted his attacks from Raila to those associated with him.

The senator recalled the insults directed at the former Prime Minister during his political career, saying some of his critics had labelled him “mganga” and accused him of wanting to remove railway lines.

Kwa sababu Baba hayuko, ameamua atusi watoto wake. Kila siku anaamka anatwita majina, leo anasema Sifuna ni Mr Empty, kesho anasema ni extortionist,” Sifuna said.

He suggested that the President’s remarks were part of a broader pattern in which critics of Raila had turned their attention to his political allies following his death.

Sifuna also linked Ruto’s attacks to the 2027 General Election, arguing that the President was aware his time in office was running out.

“Kwa sababu anajua siku zake zinaenda zikiisha. Zinaenda zikiisha,” he said.

Ruto continued by questioning the party's capacity to offer Kenyans a credible political alternative, ridiculing its leadership and suggesting that it had stalled before gaining traction.

“Mko na Kibarua. Mtu mwenyewe ni empty, Chama ni empty, ile imebaki ni pombe halafu anaanza kuitisha wamama shilingi kumi kumi, hiyo Chama mtapeleka wapi imekwama kwa bar?” he said.

The President also questioned whether the opposition considered Kenyans incapable of making informed political choices.

“Na hiyo ndiyo mnasema sisi wakenya tuwapigie kura, yaani mumetupima kabisa mkatupima na ufala kiasi hiyo?” he posed.

Ruto made the remarks while addressing residents during an inspection of the Kapsait-Sondany Road and Last Mile Connectivity projects in West Pokot County, as he began the third day of his development tour of the North Rift region.

The attack comes as opposition leaders position themselves ahead of the 2027 elections, with several figures expressing interest in challenging Ruto but no single candidate yet emerging as the undisputed flag bearer.

Sifuna has been building the Linda Mwananchi movement, which has brought together leaders critical of the current political establishment.

The launch of TEP provided the movement with a formal political vehicle as its leaders seek to expand their support beyond rallies and public mobilisation.

With the election still ahead, the opposition faces the task of building a common platform while managing competing ambitions among leaders seeking the presidency.

Ruto, meanwhile, has continued to use his development tours to promote his administration's projects and challenge his opponents, framing the 2027 contest around development delivery rather than what he portrays as political rhetoric.

He is expected to return to Trans Nzoia later today to launch various projects.