Ruto Calls Out Man Who Wanted To Court Governor Cecily Mbarire

President William Ruto on Sunday, June 4 humiliated a man who was seated close to him and approached him asking for the phone number of Embu Governor Cecily Mbarire.

Speaking during the thanksgiving service of Environment Cabinet Secretary Soipan Tuya in Narok, the Head of State lauded Mbarire for her work as the chairperson of his United Democratic Alliance (UDA) party as well as her running of affairs in Embu County.

Ruto noted that during his conversation with the man, he took a glance at his request for Mbarire's number and cornered him regarding his motive, to which the man went on to ask about her relationship status.

Embu Governor, Cecily Mbarire speaking during a church service in Narok County on June 4, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO

"You have heard that our party chairman is a beautiful woman named Cecily Mbarire and you have heard what she said. So that you plan ahead of yourselves, go and talk to her properly.

"I was seated somewhere and a man asked me to give him Mbarire's phone number. I looked at him and told him whether he would like to vie and he said no. Is she married?" Ruto narrated as he and the crowd burst into laughter.

The President publicly told him off by reminding him that Mbarire was taken.

"Please, that is someone's wife, so you young men leave that story alone, if you're looking for contacts, it is because you want to vie in the elections. Leave alone other things," he rebuked him.

Mbarire is married to businessman Dennis Apaa and introduced him to the crowd during her swearing-in ceremony held at the University of Embu on Thursday, August 25, 2022, temporarily breaking his chain of keeping a low profile.

Ruto's Warning To MPs Rejecting Finance Bill

During the same address in Narok, Ruto dressed down members of parliament who would oppose the government's Finance Bill, suggesting that they vote for the controversial bill in Parliament in an open ballot.

The Head of State expressed his desire in knowing the identities of the politicians who would vote against the Bill, adding that Kenyans ought to know the leaders who oppose the Bill providing youth opportunities yet they were voted for to create the same.

Ruto singled out the Azimio la Umoja coalition over politicising the Bill owing to their stance in the opposition. In his view, every leader agrees that the housing levy proposed in the Finance Bill, 2023, is good for the country.

“Stop all the politicking around the housing levy. Even those in the opposition love the housing plan and if Azimio was in power, they would be saying what I am saying.

“We need to pass this bill so Kenya can develop. There are some suggestions that MPs should disclose how they voted when the bill is tabled in parliament, but personally, I am waiting to see any MP who will shut down that bill,” said the president.

Turning to critics, Ruto stated that “Those telling us to hold back on the Housing levy need to be told Ngojea ngojea huumiza matumbo.”

Further, Ruto pointed out that many of the leaders were benefiting from mortgages drawn from taxes paid by Kenyans through their salaries.

“As a leader, you are already getting a mortgage due to the taxes paid by the people of Kenya. Why would you deny these young people that opportunity? Is it not right for us to know who will vote against the bill?

"Those who are rejecting the bill are only doing so because they had been voted in those leadership positions by the people. I am waiting to hear their explanation on why they will vote against it," he vowed.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on his part warned that MPs who oppose the Finance Bill should not expect any funds for projects such as roads in their constituencies.

“There is a lot of incitement around this whole Finance Bill issue. I was in Kitui yesterday and their MP spoke about cessation and people were clapping. And then soon after he was telling me they need roads, where does he expect the money to build roads to come from?” the DP posed.

This came a day after he exuded confidence that the Finance Bill 2023 will be passed in the National Assembly, noting that the sailing of the bill would be necessary given the works and other responsibilities the government is undertaking.