Why Ruto has picked on Sifuna in his direct responses and frequent public clashes

From labelling Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna “Mr Shiny Things”, “Mr Empty” and “Mr 40” to calling him an extortionist and a puppet of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, President William Ruto seems to have settled on Sifuna as his political punching bag.

From direct responses to Sifuna’s criticism to efforts to portray him as a political instrument of former President Uhuru Kenyatta,  Ruto’s apparent focus on the senator has opened a new front in the contest over who gets to shape the national political conversation.

By portraying Sifuna as a proxy for Uhuru, Ruto appears to be seeking to frame the senator’s criticism within the familiar narrative of establishment interests attempting to influence the country’s political direction.

The strategy also places Sifuna at the centre of a broader debate about the influence of former presidents, the role of political kingmakers and the extent to which younger political figures can establish independent identities in a political landscape still shaped by established power brokers.

During his Coastal tour, Ruto accused Sifuna of questioning major development initiatives such as the Lamu Dangote refinery project and alleged that Sifuna and other political figures used parliamentary oversight and court cases to demand bribes or shake down investors and visiting governors.

The President further claimed that the Opposition is compromised by political sponsors, reducing its members to political puppets.

“Jana niliskia yule Mr Empty wa shiny things, eti alikuwa anauliza jana eti wapi agreement ya mambo ya Dangote. Sasa nikamuangalia yule jamaa, kwanza ametumwa...Mr Empty wa shiny things ametumwa na yule sponsor eti akuje kuulizia agreement ile ya mambo ya refinery. Mimi nataka nikuambie wewe Mr Empty, hiyo agreement kama unataka, unajua vile kuipata,” Ruto said.

He accused Sifuna of leading an extortionist ring in Parliament, where he claimed governors were harassed for bribes when they appeared before the Senate County Public Accounts Committee (CPAC).

“Wakienda Bunge huyo Mr Empty anawahangaisha, anawaambia leta pesa hii, tuhonge na hii, tuhonge na ile. What values does an extortionist like you, extorting from our Governors, extorting from devolution, and you dare tell us about values? Which values?” Ruto posed.

On Friday, Ruto sustained his attacks on Sifuna, accusing him of using his age to endear himself to the masses instead of selling his agenda.

“Nimesikia mwingine anasema yeye ako na sura mzuri, eti ni mchange kuliko Ruto, wewe bana wachana na maneneo ya sura, nasikia anasema nani anakaa mzee kati ya mimi na Ruto, hii siasa na uongozi si mambo na sura hii siasa ni mambo ya kazi. Waambieni Mr 40 wakati mnachagua kiongozi mnachgagua kiongizi sio sura, mnachagua kazi ama fitina kelele ama kazi,” he said.

He has also frequently referred to Sifuna as “Mr Shiny Things” following the senator’s remarks on March 24 this year, when he accused Ruto of trying to distract Kenyans with “shiny things” such as the railway, stadiums and road projects while overseeing abductions and attempts to take over private hospitals such as Nairobi Hospital.

“There was a report that four people in a place called Ginda in Masabit County were killed by bandits. Senator Osotsi has told us that they are marauding gangs running around Vhiga killing people. We have had incidents honorable speaker of bodies being dumped in a mass grave in Kericho and nobody can tell us what is going on in that particular instance. We have a reason to worry.

He added, “Which is why we continuing to urge that this country can never be about shiny things. You are building as a railway. It is our money anyway but you are arresting 80-year-old doctors to take over a private facility and yet national facilities such as Kenyatta and Moi in Eldoret are in deplorable condition. These are the issues that point us to misplaced priorities and the fact that this government has totally lost its way.”

According to political analysts, President Ruto’s decision to single out Sifuna and make him his punching bag while depicting him as Uhuru’s stooge was a political strategy targeting the youth, especially Gen Z, who have been calling for a new slate of leaders and an overhaul of the political system.

Following the intense youth-led protests, Sifuna heavily capitalised on  the political vacuum by aligning himself with the “Linda Mwananchi” movement, with his message focusing strictly on constitutionalism, human rights and the rule of law, which has deeply resonated with disgruntled young voters.

According to political analyst Joe Nene, the youth vote is a critical battleground that Ruto needs to maintain, and Sifuna’s rising traction among this demographic makes him a direct threat to the administration.

“The youth have been advocating for a complete overhaul of a political system that has ruled in the country post-independence and the most suitable candidate is Sifuna, that’s why Ruto will work hard to drag him and associate him with the leaders who have been there like Uhuru. This strategy aims at discouraging the youth from supporting Sifuna,” he said.

Additionally, Nene noted that Sifuna’s lack of financial muscle must force him to associate with the likes of Uhuru, a move he said will work against him.

“Kenyans may have wanted a leader who has no political baggage but by associating with Uhuru and other leaders who have been in political spaces, Sifuna though fresh from claims of corruption and not riddled with integrity questions, the whole narrative changes once he joins the association of leaders with tainted history,” he added.

Pauline Njoroge, a Sifuna ally, said Ruto had identified his main threat in next year’s election.

“Sifuna has really gotten under Ruto’s skin to the point where the guy seems to be losing it. The kind of anger he’s carrying could boil a pot of githeri. Nowadays his rally agenda revovlves around insults and this shows a lot about how cornered he is,” she said.