Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has dismissed his critics, saying he has no time for what he described as noise and insults, and suggesting some of them may need medical attention through the government’s health programme.
Speaking on Saturday during a women’s empowerment forum in Mandera County, the President defended his administration’s agenda and responded to criticism from political opponents and commentators, describing it as disruptive and unconstructive.
Several senior leaders, including Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, Public Service Cabinet Secretary Geoffrey Ruku, and Mandera Governor Adan Khalif, accompanied the Head of State.
He said some of the individuals behind the criticism could be ‘experiencing’ underlying issues that may warrant medical care.
“Don’t worry about those people who make noise and insults. I don’t have time for such people. When I hear them speak, I think they are unwell; they may need to be taken to the hospital,” Ruto said.
He went on to criticise his opponents, adding that the intensity of remarks directed at his government may reflect deeper underlying issues among some of them.
In his remarks, the President said some of the critics may “require support’ through the government’s healthcare system, the Social Health Authority (SHA).
“I think some of them are not well; they may have a problem. I think, Duale, you should register them under SHA so we can help them go to the hospital. Those are people who may need medical attention,” he added.
The remarks came as the President defended his administration’s record and ongoing development initiatives, including affordable housing programmes, expansion of markets across the country, and broader economic reforms, which he said are aimed at improving livelihoods.
Ruto maintained that his government’s agenda is inclusive and designed to ensure that no region is left behind in national development.
“Kenya will transform in our lifetime. Different initiatives are ongoing, including affordable housing and markets in different parts of the country. No part of Kenya will be left behind,” he said.
During his address, Ruto also took a strong stance against tribalism and divisive politics, warning that such rhetoric undermines national cohesion and slows down development.
He called for unity among communities in northern Kenya, urging leaders and residents to focus on economic progress rather than ethnic divisions.
On development commitments, the President highlighted plans to improve access to electricity in the region, acknowledging that energy shortages remain a key barrier to growth and investment.
He assured residents that the government would work to expand connectivity under ongoing electrification programmes.
In the education sector, Ruto announced plans to recruit an additional 1,800 teachers for Northern Kenya, a move aimed at addressing staffing gaps in schools and improving learning outcomes in the region, which has historically faced shortages in educational resources.
