“Uliingia na Hustler, Utatoka na One Term”: Sifuna Takes Fresh Swipe at Ruto in Meru

Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna has launched a fresh attack on President William Ruto, declaring that the President entered State House riding on the “Hustler” slogan but would leave office after serving only one term.

Sifuna made the remarks on Sunday, August 30, 2026, while addressing supporters during the Linda Mwananchi movement’s rally in Meru County. The rally brought together several opposition leaders as the movement intensified its grassroots mobilisation ahead of the 2027 General Election.

The Nairobi Senator used the rally to challenge Ruto’s political messaging, arguing that the administration should be judged by the promises it made to Kenyans during the 2022 presidential campaign rather than by new slogans and long-term plans.

Sifuna particularly focused on the President’s “Hustler” narrative, which was central to Ruto’s 2022 campaign. He argued that the slogan was used to appeal to ordinary Kenyans, especially young people, small traders and other citizens struggling economically.

According to Sifuna, Ruto presented himself as a leader who understood the challenges facing ordinary citizens and promised to transform their lives through a bottom-up economic approach.

However, Sifuna accused the government of failing to deliver on several of those promises. He cited commitments made to boda boda operators, small traders, women, young people and other groups during the campaign.

He argued that Kenyans were now looking beyond political slogans and demanding tangible improvements in their lives.

Sifuna also criticised the government’s focus on developing a long-term Vision 2060 framework, arguing that the administration should first fulfil the promises contained in the plan presented to Kenyans during the 2022 election. He questioned the need for another long-term blueprint when, in his view, the current administration had not delivered sufficiently on its original agenda.

“We gave you five years; you failed at the plan you had,” Sifuna said, challenging the President to focus on immediate problems affecting Kenyans rather than unveiling another long-term development strategy.

He said the opposition would seek to present an alternative political programme that reflects the aspirations of a younger generation.

The Meru rally formed part of the wider Linda Mwananchi movement, which has been touring different parts of the country in an effort to mobilise citizens and challenge the Kenya Kwanza administration ahead of the 2027 elections.

The Meru visit marked the movement’s first major push into the region, following previous engagements in areas including Western Kenya and Nyanza. The tour was hosted by former Meru Governor Kawira Mwangaza, who has aligned herself with the movement.

Sifuna also used the occasion to address concerns over political freedoms and the treatment of government critics. He accused the administration of using intimidation and force against citizens who criticise those in power.

The senator maintained that Kenyans should be free to express their political opinions without fear of arrest or intimidation. He argued that respect for the presidency should go hand in hand with respect for citizens and constitutional rights.

His remarks come amid an increasingly heated political exchange between the opposition and President Ruto as the country moves closer to the 2027 General Election.

Sifuna has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the current administration and has increasingly positioned himself at the centre of the Linda Mwananchi movement.

During the Meru rally, he also responded to remarks attributed to President Ruto about the opposition movement and its leadership. Sifuna said he would not be intimidated and vowed to continue challenging the administration.

The senator’s “Hustler” and “One Term” message was among the most politically striking moments of the Meru rally. He sought to turn one of Ruto’s most recognisable campaign slogans against him, arguing that the same grassroots political language that helped the President win in 2022 could now be used by the opposition to campaign for change.

The slogan “One Term” has increasingly become part of the opposition’s political messaging against Ruto as different leaders attempt to convince voters that the President should not be given another five-year mandate.

Sifuna’s remarks also come as political leaders increasingly target regions that played an important role in Ruto’s 2022 victory.

The Linda Mwananchi movement’s entry into Meru is therefore politically significant. The region is home to Deputy President Kithure Kindiki and has traditionally been considered an important part of the government’s support base.

Sifuna challenged the assumption that the government would automatically retain support in the region because of Kindiki’s presence, urging residents to evaluate the administration based on its performance and their own experiences.

Other opposition leaders who addressed the Meru rally also criticised the government on various issues, including the economy, governance, healthcare and the recently unveiled police uniforms. Some of the allegations made at the rally regarding the police uniform procurement have not been independently substantiated.

The rally also highlighted the growing political cooperation among opposition figures as they seek to build a broader coalition ahead of the next election.

Embakasi East MP Babu Owino publicly reaffirmed his support for Sifuna during the event, while other leaders used the platform to criticise the government and encourage residents to participate in the opposition’s grassroots mobilisation.

With political temperatures expected to rise as the 2027 elections approach, Sifuna’s remarks in Meru signal a more aggressive opposition campaign against President Ruto.

The senator is positioning the “One Term” message as a direct challenge to the President’s re-election ambitions, while portraying the opposition as an alternative political force capable of taking over government.

For President Ruto and his supporters, the growing opposition mobilisation presents a significant political challenge, particularly as opposition leaders increasingly venture into regions previously viewed as government strongholds.

The coming months are therefore expected to see intensified grassroots mobilisation, political rallies and competing narratives as both sides seek to win over Kenyan voters.

For now, Sifuna’s message from Meru is clear: he wants the 2027 election to become a referendum on Ruto’s record in office — and he is using the President’s own “Hustler” political identity to push the opposition’s “One Term” campaign.