Kisumu East MP Shakeel Shabir has dismissed the growing “one-term” campaign against President William Ruto, describing it as mere political noise that diverts attention from meaningful policy debates.
Speaking on Radio Generation on Thursday, Shabir said decisions on leadership should be left to voters, rather than being driven by chants or slogans.
“This two term, one term thing is a slogan, and I, for once, would not be part and parcel of this slogan,” Shabir said. “If the people decide that they are going to give President Ruto a second term, you can go and sing till you’re blue in the face, but the people are going to decide.”
He expressed concern that an emphasis on slogans like “one term” or “two terms” could overshadow discussions about policies, programmes, and leadership performance.
“It’s a slogan that’s forgetting your policies, forgetting everything,” Shabir added, urging political discourse to focus on concrete development plans rather than empty rhetoric.
Shabir also highlighted President Ruto’s political acumen, comparing him favorably to former President Daniel Arap Moi. “President Ruto is a very sharp guy maybe even sharper than Moi, Moi was a professor of politics and they assess these things,” he said.
The MP further argued that political competition should be based on ideas, leadership records, and long-term plans rather than factional interests or transactional politics.
“If you ask me, for one term or two term, I am not part and parcel of any of them,” he reiterated, emphasizing that Kenya’s democratic process should determine leadership outcomes.
President William Ruto has similarly criticized political slogans, describing them as distractions from substantive debates. Speaking in Bondo on Sunday, he urged leaders to focus on presenting development plans rather than engaging in insults, tribalism, or empty rhetoric.
“There is no room for politics of insults, name-calling, empty rhetoric, tribalism or division. Kenyans want leaders with vision, an agenda and programmes that can transform the country,” Ruto said. He added that those seeking leadership should explain how they intend to tackle national challenges. “If you are serious about leadership, tell Kenyans about your agenda and how you will change the country,” he insisted.
