Omtatah downplays massive crowds at Ruto's Mt. Kenya tour

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has dismissed the large crowds that turned out during President William Ruto’s recent tour of Mt. Kenya, suggesting that the attendees were not dedicated supporters but rather curious onlookers.

Speaking on the Iko Nini podcast on Sunday, April 6, 2025, Omtatah compared Ruto to a hyena at a livestock market—not drawing attention because people want it but simply because of curiosity.

He went on to explain that, in the end, the crowd would shift their focus and end up buying cows, leaving the hyena behind.

He argued that whether or not the attendees were paid to show up wasn't important, as there was no real interest in the president’s visit.

The crowd merely reflected the idleness of jobless citizens looking for something to pass the time.

"When Kenyans hear any sort of commotion, they rush to see what’s going on—even if it’s a bomb explosion—even if it ends with them being beaten by police," he said.

"There’s a saying from where I come from: ‘If you bring a hyena to a cattle market and put it on display, everyone will come to see it, but when it’s time to buy, they’ll choose cows and leave the hyena."

Omtatah also pointed out that Ruto shouldn't take pride in attracting a crowd in Central Kenya, especially considering he was expected to face resistance there.

He emphasized that the people in the area are simply the most idle, and they attended out of boredom, not out of genuine support.

“In places like Kiambu, you can see young people just loitering around with nothing to do; some spend their days drinking," said the Busia Senator,

"So, when Ruto showed up, they probably thought, ‘Why not go see a hyena?’ Honestly, I don’t think anything meaningful came out of that visit."