Vijana na Ruto National Youth Political Movement members during a media briefing in Nairobi on August 17, 2026.
NAIROBI, August 17, 2026 — The Vijana na Ruto National Youth Political Movement has called for accountability, political discipline and respect for national institutions following remarks attributed to Starehe MP Amos Mwago during a political engagement in Nakuru last week.
The movement said it was concerned by reports that Mwago referred to President William Ruto as “taka taka”, arguing that elected leaders have a responsibility to uphold decorum when addressing the Head of State.
Speaking on the matter, the movement said political criticism was legitimate and protected, but maintained that elected leaders should distinguish between challenging Government policies and making remarks it considers disrespectful to the Presidency.
“Political criticism is legitimate and protected; personal insults directed at the institution of the Presidency are not,” the movement said.
Vijana na Ruto called on National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula and Majority Leader Kimani Ichung’wah to take up the matter formally in Parliament and give Mwago an opportunity to clarify whether the remarks attributed to him were accurate.
The movement further called for Mwago to publicly apologise to the President and the nation if the remarks were confirmed, saying the matter should be handled in accordance with parliamentary standards of decorum.
It said addressing the issue was necessary to prevent what it termed a precedent that could erode respect for the Presidency and the dignity of Parliament, regardless of who occupies the highest office in the country.
The youth movement also turned its attention to young people, urging them to remain informed, organised and actively engaged in political affairs while holding leaders accountable for the mandates they receive.
“We call upon you to hold every leader regardless of title, region, or party accountable to the mandate they were given,” the movement said.
The group urged the youth to support the President’s development agenda while maintaining scrutiny of leaders regardless of their political affiliation, region or position.
It also cautioned young people against what it described as political opportunism presented as principle, particularly among leaders who change their positions when political circumstances become less favourable.
“We call upon you to reject political opportunism dressed up as principle, and to see through leaders who abandon those who stood by them the moment it becomes politically convenient,” the movement said.
Vijana na Ruto said its movement was founded on the conviction that young people deserve leaders who keep their word and remain accountable to those who support them.
The movement said the same standards would apply to itself, political parties and leaders seeking to represent the interests of young people.It said loyalty and accountability should go hand in hand, urging leaders to remain mindful of the people who supported them and the commitments they made to the electorate.
“Vijana na Ruto remains committed to a disciplined, accountable and united political movement, where loyalty is honoured, gratitude is remembered and respect to our national institutions, including the Presidency, is non-negotiable,” the movement said.
The lobby urged relevant parliamentary and political party organs to consider the concerns raised in its statement and act on the specific requests concerning the remarks attributed to Mwago.
It said it would continue monitoring developments and remain available to clarify its position, while thanking the media for its continued coverage of the matter.
