Aasai

A fiery altercation unfolded in the Senate on Monday, July 22, 2025, after Nairobi Senator and ODM Secretary-General Edwin Sifuna strongly confronted his Nandi counterpart, Senator Samson Cherargei, over controversial remarks perceived as premature political campaigning. The clash centered around Cherargei’s reference to President William Ruto as "a man of two terms," a phrase that has come to symbolize political alignment ahead of the 2027 General Election.

While addressing the House during a plenary session, Senator Cherargei made the statement: “The event was graced by none other than His Excellency President William Ruto. A man of two terms.” The utterance sparked immediate murmurs among senators, prompting the Speaker to swiftly intervene and order Cherargei to take his seat. The comment was widely interpreted as a deliberate push to frame Rutos presidency as secure for another term — despite the ongoing political debates and resistance from a segment of the opposition.

Sensing the weight of the moment, Senator Sifuna rose on a point of order, sharply condemning the remark as unprocedural and misleading. He reminded the House that all statements must be vetted and approved by the Speaker’s office before being read during official proceedings. Sifuna questioned whether Cherargei’s “two-term” claim had passed through the Speaker’s scrutiny, or if it was a personal political insertion aimed at swaying public sentiment from the floor of Parliament.

“Madam Speaker, the rules of this House require that statements be approved by your office and be read as is. Was that part of the statement? Or is the Honourable Senator turning this House into a campaign platform?” Sifuna asked sternly. He went on to accuse Cherargei of trivializing serious legislative matters by introducing politically loaded rhetoric into formal Senate business.

The Nairobi Senator’s criticism escalated as he challenged Cherargei to take his political messages to public rallies if he wished to engage in campaigning. “If he wants to make his own statements, he can go to Kapsabet and hold a rally. But here in the Senate, we are here for serious business. We cannot waste taxpayers time listening to such rubbish,” Sifuna said, clearly agitated.

The term “tutam” — shorthand for “two-term” — has recently become a popular political slang among Kenya’s political class and citizens, used to describe perceived support for President Ruto’s continuation in office beyond 2027. Its counterpart, “wantam” (one-term), is used in jest or critique by those questioning Ruto’s performance or eligibility for a second term. Both terms have gained traction online and in public discourse as coded language in Kenya’s unfolding political theater.

Sifuna’s impassioned remarks underscored growing frustration within opposition ranks over what they view as premature electioneering in state institutions. He argued that Parliament should remain a neutral ground for policy debates and oversight, not a stage for campaign slogans or partisan declarations.

The incident marks yet another flashpoint in the rising political tensions between Kenya Kwanza and Azimio-allied leaders, as the countdown to the 2027 polls begins to dominate political narratives. With coded phrases like “tutam” now creeping into formal debate, observers warn of increased polarization within Parliament unless firm procedural discipline is maintained.