Respect the Presidency’: Vijana na Ruto Hit Back at Political Utterances, Rally Behind Ruto for 2027

Macharia David 

Taifa leo news 

The Vijana na Ruto movement has endorsed President William Samoei Ruto’s bid for re-election, with the group saying young people will play a central role in mobilising support for the President ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The movement’s National Youth Chairperson, Isaac Ntaragwe, said the decision was informed by the need to defend the dignity of the presidency while supporting the government’s development agenda.

Speaking during a press briefing, Ntaragwe said political leaders have a constitutional right to criticise government policies, but maintained that such criticism should be guided by respect and political decorum.

He particularly called on the Speaker of the National Assembly and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to address remarks allegedly made by Tare Member of Parliament Amos Mwago during a political engagement in Nakuru.

Ntaragwe urged Parliament to give Mwago an opportunity to clarify whether the remarks attributed to him were accurately reported. He said that should the remarks be confirmed, the legislator should apologise to President Ruto and the country.

«“Political criticism is legitimate and protected, but personal insults directed at the institution of the presidency are not,” Ntaragwe said.»

The youth leader said the country’s political debate should remain focused on policies, development and the welfare of citizens rather than personal attacks against political opponents.

The movement also criticised the alleged removal of President Ruto’s portrait from a parliamentary office, describing the incident as disrespectful to the office of the Head of State and to taxpayers.

Youth mobilisation

Vijana na Ruto youth leader Karen Gatimu said young people must take a more active role in shaping the country’s political direction rather than allowing politicians to speak on their behalf.

Gatimu urged the youth to scrutinise political promises and programmes while participating actively in democratic processes leading to the 2027 elections.

She said the youth remain an important constituency in determining the country’s political future and called for greater participation in grassroots mobilisation, leadership and national development.

Her remarks come at a time when political parties and movements are intensifying efforts to attract young voters, with the 2027 contest already influencing political alignments across the country.

Political realignments

The endorsement comes amid growing political realignments ahead of the next General Election, with leaders shifting alliances and parties seeking to consolidate support in different regions.

The relationship between President Ruto’s UDA and ODM has also become a major feature of the emerging political landscape, while opposition formations and political movements continue to organise ahead of 2027.

President Ruto has also been publicly urging young people to support his continued leadership. In remarks reported on August 13, the President called on youth supporters to continue with the political work and spoke of extending the development agenda beyond his current term.

Ntaragwe warned politicians who have defected from UDA to opposition parties that they risk losing their political influence and parliamentary seats depending on how voters respond to their decisions at the ballot.

He said Vijana na Ruto would continue building a youth network across the country to champion the President’s re-election campaign.

The movement, however, maintained that supporting President Ruto does not amount to opposing democratic criticism.

Ntaragwe said political leaders remain free to challenge government policies through Parliament, public debate and other constitutional avenues, but insisted that criticism should not descend into insults or conduct that undermines the dignity of the presidency.

As the country moves closer to the 2027 elections, the group said it will focus on mobilising young people around President Ruto’s agenda while defending what it described as the respect and integrity attached to the office of the Head of State.