Okiya Omtatah: Ruto risks burying 2010 Constitution if not voted out

Busia Senator Okiya Omtatah has cautioned President William Ruto that failing to step down by the 2027 elections could lead to the further erosion of Kenya’s 2010 Constitution. In a recent statement on his X account, Omtatah contended that Ruto's continued leadership has exacerbated the disregard for constitutional principles that were previously undermined by the previous administration.

The senator emphasized that Kenyans must prioritize electing leaders dedicated to upholding the Constitution, rather than merely changing political leaders.

Omtatah's concerns stem from his persistent advocacy for reforms in public finance management, including the creation of an independent Treasury to safeguard public funds from presidential manipulation. In April 2026, he argued that the current system allows public resources to be susceptible to political influence, thus weakening accountability. "We need to have an independent treasury to keep the public money out of the president’s hands," he declared during a radio interview on April 9, 2026.

Furthermore, Omtatah cautioned against merely changing Ruto's administration without scrutinizing their commitment to constitutional principles. He stressed that the management, allocation, and expenditure of public resources should be governed by constitutional safeguards and oversight mechanisms. Just as the 2010 Constitution outlines the rules for public finance, including the requirement for parliamentary approval of budgets and scrutiny of withdrawals from public funds, Omtatah insists that these protections must be upheld to ensure public money is utilized appropriately and not subject to unchecked executive discretion.

His latest warnings underscore the need for voters to consider constitutional accountability and the stewardship of public resources when deciding on the 2027 General Election.