People’s Liberation Party leader Martha Karua has launched a scathing attack on President William Ruto following his controversial remarks that appeared to reject the possibility of handing over power to the Opposition. Karua reminded the president that the Kenyan Constitution leaves no room for ambiguity; transferring power is not a favor, it is a legal and democratic requirement.
Karua on Monday, June 16, 2025, accused Ruto of violating the spirit of the Constitution and using inflammatory rhetoric to intimidate the public.
Her response came a day after President Ruto made contentious comments during a rally in Lugari, Kakamega County, on Sunday, June 15. While addressing supporters, the president lashed out at opposition leaders Rigathi Gachagua, Kalonzo Musyoka, Eugene Wamalwa, Fred Matiang’i, and Martha Karua, claiming they lacked any meaningful development agenda.
“Their only message is ‘Ruto must go’. But how does that solve challenges in healthcare, education, or agriculture? They are angry and bitter yet they have no plan. We cannot hand over leadership to such people,” Ruto stated.
Many interpreted his words as an alarming signal that he may refuse to accept defeat if he loses the 2027 general election.
Karua swiftly condemned the remarks, stressing, “The law is not a suggestion. Handing over power after an election is not optional. It is a constitutional obligation, and no amount of political bluster can change that.”
She described Ruto’s comments as reckless, dangerous, and a betrayal of the trust Kenyans have placed in democratic institutions. According to Karua, the people of Kenya have fought too long and too hard for democracy to allow political arrogance to undo their progress.
“That kind of talk is not only irresponsible, it is unacceptable in a democratic society,” she said. “We’ve walked a long and painful journey to entrench democracy, the rule of law, and peaceful transitions of power. That journey is not reversible. No president, no matter how popular or powerful, can rewrite the rules mid-game.”
Karua also took aim at the silence from within Ruto’s inner circle and the ruling coalition, accusing them of enabling dangerous autocratic tendencies by refusing to speak out.
“Where are the voices in his government reminding him of the oath he took to uphold the Constitution?” she asked. “Are they all complicit, or just too afraid to speak truth to power?”
She reaffirmed that Kenya remains a constitutional democracy, not a personal kingdom, and any attempts to erode those foundations would be met with fierce resistance. She urged citizens to remain vigilant and proactive in defending democracy through both the ballot and civic participation.
“The power belongs to the people,” she declared. “The president is merely a custodian and when the time comes to return the key, he must do so. There will be no negotiation on that.”
Karua also called on the international community, civil society, and the judiciary to take President Ruto’s comments seriously.
“When a sitting head of state publicly questions the handover of power, alarm bells must ring, not just here, but globally,” she warned. “We will not sit back and watch our democracy be threatened by those who are supposed to protect it.”
