“Wacha Uji!” – Ruto Tells Sifuna to Use His Brain Over Housing Levy

President William Ruto has criticised Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s pledge to abolish the affordable housing levy, saying the move would threaten employment for thousands and undermine plans to house low-income families, during a rally in Elgeyo Marakwet.

President William Ruto has launched a sharp attack on Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over the latter’s promise to scrap the affordable housing levy if elected president, warning that the proposal would endanger jobs and leave families in informal settlements without decent homes.

Speaking at a rally in Marakwet East Constituency, Elgeyo Marakwet County, on Tuesday, Ruto said he had heard Sifuna complain about paying Sh24,000 in monthly housing levy deductions from his salary. The President questioned whether the senator had considered the wider benefits of the programme for ordinary Kenyans.

“Nilisikia jamaa mwingine juzi eti anasema yeye analipa Sh.24,000 ya housing kutoka kwa mshahara yake na ni mtu Senator, ati yeye sasa ako na mpango ya kusimamisha hii programme ya housing ati kwa sababu analipa Sh.24,000,” Ruto said.

He urged Sifuna to rethink the position, arguing that the levy funds employment under the affordable housing programme. “Mimi nataka niambie huyo jamaa, tumia akili naniii, wacha uji. Wale wanakulipa mshahara ni hawa wananchi hawa. Watoto wa hawa wananchi milioni moja ndiyo wanafanya kazi kwa affordable housing,” he added.

Ruto further calculated that a Sh24,000 levy deduction pointed to a salary of about Sh1.8 million. He contrasted that with the living conditions of many Kenyans. “Kama unalipa housing Sh.24,000 inamaanisha mshahara yako ni Sh.1.8 million. Wewe unataka kuja kusimamisha ili Wakenya wenye wanaishi kwa squalor waendelee kuishi huko wewe ukiishi kwa 5 bedrooms. Huyo ni mtu ako na akili kweli?” the President posed.

The remarks come as the government continues to defend the housing levy as a key financing mechanism for its affordable housing agenda. Sifuna, a leading government critic, has publicly committed to abolishing the levy should he win the presidency.

Kericho Senator and Senate Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot also addressed the gathering, dismissing opposition efforts to field a single presidential candidate in 2027. He expressed confidence that Ruto would retain State House. “Yule tapeli anaongea ati watatoa candidate mmoja option mko nayo ni saa ngapi mtashindwa. Mtakawia lakini hamwezi kupita saa moja na nusu William Ruto atarudi State House,” Cheruiyot said.

Energy Cabinet Secretary Opiyo Wandayi defended the administration’s record on electricity access, stating that the government had connected 1.5 million homes to power within four years. “Hao watu hakuna mahali wanaweza kwenda bila kusukumwa. Hakuna mahali wanaenda. Rais kwa miaka minne umeweka nyumba 1.5 million kwa stima na Wakenya wanaona stima,” Wandayi said.

Ruto separately urged North Rift residents to register as voters, saying low registration in the region forced him to seek support elsewhere while potential local votes remained untapped. “Sasa nyinyi mnanifanya naenda kupiga magoti huko, naenda kupiga magoti huko nikiomba kura ya wengine na iko kura ya nyumbani hapa. Hapana hapana. Mnanikosea. Wacheeni mchezo…Hii kelele yote haiwezi kusaidia mimi. Ile itanisaidia ni kura kwa debe,” he said.

On security, Interior Cabinet Secretary Kipchumba Murkomen credited ongoing operations against banditry for restoring calm in areas such as Kapyego. “Mheshimiwa Rais mimi nakushukuru sana hapa Kapyego watu walikuwa wanajificha lakini bunduki tumetoa sai watu wanakaa kwa amani,” Murkomen said.

The rally formed part of continued efforts by government leaders to defend the administration’s development and security record as political alignments take shape ahead of the 2027 General Election.

Other News: Muthomi Njuki takes over as Council of Governors chair, Lusaka named deputy