Do You Want To Be President Of A Failed State? Ruto To Maraga

President William Ruto has hit out at former Chief Justice David Maraga over his claims that Kenya is nearing the status of a failed state, questioning how a longtime public servant could now undermine the same country he once helped govern.

Addressing attendees at a bell-ringing ceremony at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE), Ruto rejected Maraga’s assertions, emphasising that despite existing challenges, Kenya continues to show strength and steady progress.

“I listen a lot to what people say about the present and future of our country. I listened to one gentleman who retired the other day after working for I think 40-50 years, and he wants to be president.

President William Ruto speaking at the Nairobi Securities Exchange for the bell-ringing to celebrate the listing of the Linzi Asset-Backed Security on July 23, 2025. /PCS

"I listened to him say Kenya is a failed state, and I asked myself, 'so for 40 years, you've been working in a failed state, so you want to be president of a failed state, really? You want us to entrust you with the leadership of a country you don't believe in, to a people you don't believe in," the President posed.

“Look at what is happening in the country. We are getting into a failed state,” he said, criticising the government’s handling of anti-government protests and the erosion of constitutional freedoms, and adding, "There is a political and economic crisis in the country that needs to be addressed squarely."

At the same time, Ruto alleged that those calling for his ouster are members of what he described as the "wash wash" gang — a term commonly used to refer to scammers and fraudsters with no genuine vision for the country.

The President dismissed his critics as masters of empty slogans who have yet to present any meaningful solutions to Kenya’s problems. "I hear some people say 'Ruto must go', and that is fine - my time will come like those who came before me. But what is your plan when I go?" the President posed.

He challenged his critics to present alternative ideas if they genuinely believe the country is on the wrong path, adding, “It is okay if you do not agree with my policies, but please favour us with your counterplan."

The President mocked what he called empty opposition rhetoric, likening it to fraudulent schemes. "The more I listen, the more it sounds like sloganeering without a plan. They are saying, 'Let Ruto go, and we will figure out the plan later.' That sounds like wash wash conmanship,” he added.

“If you truly have a better economic, education, health, or jobs plan, you should be bold enough to table it,” Ruto said, in a direct challenge to opposition leaders and critics.