From Mr empty to shiny things and extortion: Inside William Ruto's renewed attacks on Uhuru and Sifuna

President William Ruto at Shanzu Teachers College in Kisauni Constituency, Mombasa County, on October 1, 2026. PCS]

President William Ruto on Thursday intensified attacks on his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, accusing him of doing little to alleviate the economic suffering of the residents of Taita Taveta County.

Ruto also hit out at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna over his criticism of development projects, accusing him of being used by political sponsors to oppose the government agenda.

Later in Mombasa, Ruto vowed to protect Nigerian industrialist Aliko Dangote and the Sh2.2 trillion refinery investment in Lamu from extortionists seeking to frustrate him through frivolous demands and court cases.

The President said a cabal of political leaders was behind attempts to frustrate the businessman, warning that his administration would not allow vested interests to derail major investments in the country.

He said he would not allow the forces that previously frustrated Dangote’s efforts to establish a cement factory in Kenya to undermine his new investment.

Speaking at Shanzu Teachers College in Kisauni Constituency, Mombasa County, President Ruto said: “Yesterday, I heard Mr Empty of Shiny Things asking about the agreement for the Dangote refinery. He has been sent by his sponsor to ask for it."

"You know the Government and parliamentary protocols to follow in requesting such information. But I know the real reason you are asking for the agreement is for you to take it to your sponsor to extort Mr Dangote - as you have done before,” he added.

The President spoke after breaking ground for student hostels at the college, which will provide 600 beds at Sh225 million.

He insisted that his administration would not allow investors to be subjected to extortion, intimidation or unnecessary interference, stressing that Kenya must create an environment that attracts and protects investors.

"You had told us that you have no interest in 'shiny things' such as roads, railways and ports. Why do you want the agreement for the refinery? Isn't it another shiny thing?" He posed.

The Head of State also criticised those who project themselves as champions of values and integrity while extorting governors whenever they appear before them.

At Ronald Ngala Grounds in Mvita Constituency, he launched the Sh4.5 billion 1,800-housing unit project and medical equipment for Mombasa County hospitals. “How can an extortionist like you - extorting from our governors and extorting devolution - dare tell us about values?” Posed Ruto.

President Ruto urged Kenyans to seize opportunities that will be created by the refinery project expected to generate 60,000 jobs.

Overall, the Government is investing Sh40 billion in affordable housing projects in Mombasa County, including markets and students' hostels.

Additionally, the President said the Government has also invested KSh15 billion in the past three years, strengthening the blue economy at the Coast to unlocking the region’s economic potential.

Further, he stated that the Government is investing a record Sh70 billion to upgrade Mombasa County road network, including access roads serving the Port of Mombasa, to ease congestion.

In Likoni Constituency, he inspected the Likoni Heights Affordable Housing Project as well as the ferry passenger terminal being built by the Kenya Ports Authority in conjunction with Mombasa County Government.

Earlier in Taita-Taveta County, he issued 31,318 title deeds to residents of Mwatate, Voi and Taveta constituencies as part of the 30000 land documents being given out in his current tour of the Coast region.

He also launched the Iperanyi-Mwandala Last Mile Electricity Connectivity Project in Mwatate Constituency, and inspected the progress of the Mwatunge Modern Market.

President Ruto said the Government will give priority to the Mzima II water project to serve the county, which is arid and semi-arid.

"Mzima I was built by the late President Daniel Moi in 1984. I will build Mzima II under the National Infrastructure Fund. Just as I have delivered all other projects I promised you, I will also fulfil this one," he said.

The President announced that he would soon return to Taita-Taveta to commission Devki Iron Ore Pelletisation and Steel Processing Plant in Manga, Voi, a Sh11 billion project which he launched in December 2024.

He criticised his predecessor for allegedly marginalising coastal communities and doing little to address historical land injustices, adding that the Kenyatta family owns a huge chunk of land in Taita Taveta County.

The Head of State claimed that Uhuru failed to provide solutions to the perennial water crisis facing Taita Taveta and other counties, as he did not implement the Mzima Two water pipeline project, which he announced his government will implement before the end of this year to benefit residents first before water is supplied to other counties.

The Kenyatta family is one of the major landowners with about 30,000 acres in Taita Taveta County. Ruto also owns about 2,500 acres in Mata village, Taveta Sub-County.

Ruto spoke at Mwatunge grounds on the outskirts of Mwatate town yesterday, where he issued over 31,000 title deeds to residents.

He said his administration has taken another step towards addressing long-standing land and squatter challenges at the Coast, unlike his predecessor, who did little to end the squatter menace that has promoted poverty and unemployment.

Among the beneficiaries of land ownership titles were squatters in Voi, Mwatate and Taveta sub-counties.

Ruto issued title deeds to over 12,000 squatters from Chawia, Wumari Sechu, after the government reverted back to the community over 5,000 acres from the former owner, Brigadier Cromwell Mukungusi.

President William Ruto and his Ugandan counterpart Yoweri Museveni during the groundbreaking ceremony for Dangote refinery in Lamu. [PCS]

The land was registered in 1975 by Brigadier Mkunguzi after he was allocated the estate by founding President Mzee Jomo Kenyatta. The land lease expired in 2020.

Another disputed land whose lease expired is the about 3000-acre Machungwani farm, which formerly belonged to the former Taveta MP Mr Basil Criticos.  The government is yet to determine the status of the farm whose lease expired in 2014.

It has been invaded by more than 10,000 squatters who have vowed never to move out until they are formally settled.

In addition, the land lease to the Voi Sisal Estate expired but was secretly renewed and has been at the centre of conflict between hundreds of squatters and new landowners.

Present at the functions were governors Andrew Mwadime and Adulsawamad Shariff, Lands Cabinet Secretary Alice Wahom, Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurua, Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi, Principal Secretaries and Taita Taveta women representative Lydia Haika, among others. 

Ruto revealed that the titling process is part of a wider programme under which the government plans to issue 300,000 title deeds during his current tour of the Coast region, which began last Saturday.

He said the government aims to issue 500,000 title deeds to beneficiaries across the region by the end of the year.

He said the squatter issues in the region are deep-rooted, as locals have been facing forcible evictions and displacement from private landowners.

“The squatter issue is deep-rooted, and people have been suffering through forcible evictions and displacement by private landowners. As one of your own in Mata village in Taveta Sub-county, I will ensure that the squatter menace and perennial water problem are a thing of the past.

"I will ensure that all landless get title deeds to avert more evictions and those without access to clean drinking water benefit,” assured Ruto.

“When I sought your votes in 2022, I promised that I had the answer to the land question at the coast. You are now witnesses that we meant what we said. I will provide land solutions to the Taita Taveta community and the Coast at large,” he said.

He noted that the government had invested Sh10 billion to purchase land from absentee landlords and settle thousands of Kenyans, who had occupied the land for decades without valid ownership documents.

The Head of State said the adjudication of additional land to benefit Coast residents was ongoing, assuring beneficiaries that the process would continue until the squatter problem is eliminated.

President Ruto also cautioned Kenyans against unscrupulous individuals seeking to exploit the titling process.

“The Government of Kenya has paid everything for you to acquire these documents. Do not be deceived or coerced by anyone into parting with money to get your title deeds,” he said.