Orwoba recounts moments she says Ruto displayed his temperamental side
Former nominated Senator Gloria Orwoba has shared a series of experiences in which she claims President William Ruto displayed a temperamental side, particularly in high-pressure political situations.
Speaking during an interview with the Iko Nini podcast on March 20, 2026, Orwoba said she had witnessed the head of state lose his temper on several occasions, often in response to what she described as incompetence or unmet expectations from those working around him.
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“I saw him angry a couple of times. He was angry because of incompetence, not getting his way, as he is a guy who likes having his way all the time and expects his foot soldiers to meet those expectations,” she stated.
According to the senator, one of the accounts was relayed to her by former interior cabinet secretary Fred Matiang’i, who claimed he had nearly gotten into a physical confrontation with Ruto during a visit to Kisumu.
Orwoba said she believes the account to be true, though she did not provide further details about the incident.
“Matiangi told me there is a time he almost had a physical confrontation with Ruto in Kisumu; it is a true story,” she stated.
Orwoba also referenced moments during the Gen Z-led protests, where she claimed the president appeared visibly agitated. She further recalled a tense parliamentary meeting in which Ruto reportedly cut short talks, emphasising urgency over deliberation.
“I saw Ruto angry many times; during Gen Z, he was angry, and I saw it during the parliamentary meeting, and I saw him explain something, saying this is not a forum to explain; we are going for a press conference. He is a temperamental person.”
The altercation
This comes a few days after Ruto hit back at Rigathi Gachagua after he took a swipe at him over sudden weight loss.
Speaking on Tuesday, March 17, in Cheptais, Mt Elgon, President Ruto countered the former deputy president, advising him to go to the gym to stay fit.
The head of state suggested that Gachagua has a big belly and implied that being unfit causes him to fall asleep during meetings.
“I want to ask these people to go to the gym. Stop eating too much; your stomach will burst. You even fall asleep during meetings,” said Ruto.
The president also slammed the united opposition, saying they are focused on him instead of telling Kenyans their agenda.
“You people in the opposition, you claim your only agenda is William Ruto, surely? If you want us to go there, you will regret it, “Ruto stated.
On Monday, March 16, 2026 Gachagua trolled President Ruto, claiming that he has lost weight because the opposition was giving him sleepless nights.
“The good thing is that even with all that money, he does not sleep. You can even see how much weight he has lost. He has billions but cannot get rest,” Gachagua ridiculed.
Jubilee Deputy Party leader Rigathi Gachagua also censured Ruto for reducing the presidency to food debates.
