Sotik Member of Parliament (MP) Francis Sigei has apologised to President William Ruto and clarified remarks he made during a political rally in Bomet that appeared to suggest support for calls for the President to serve only one term.
Sigei said he misspoke while addressing the crowd and insisted that his intended message was to support Ruto’s bid for a second term in office.
The lawmaker said he had already apologised to the President over the remarks, which sparked political speculation after they were interpreted as an endorsement of the opposition-linked ‘WANTAM’ slogan.
According to Sigei, the excitement surrounding Ruto’s visit to the region contributed to the slip of the tongue.
“Kidogo nilikuwa na shida ambaye siwezi kuitambua hapa. But wakati niliingia, nilijazwa na furaha tele, mpaka maneno ambayo nilitamka ilikuwa tofauti,” he said.
Sigei sought to explain the apparent contradiction between his words and the hand gesture he made while addressing the rally.
“Kwa mikono mimi naonyesha ‘tutam’, lakini kwa matamshi ilikuwa ‘one term’. I meant to say ‘one more term’,” he said.
The Sotik MP maintained that his political position on Ruto’s presidency had not changed, saying he has consistently opposed calls for the President to serve a single term.
“Mimi nimekuwa mstarini mbele, hata niliwaambia watu ya kwamba sitaki kusikia mtu ambaye anasema ‘one term’,” Sigei said.
He further urged leaders and residents to focus on development rather than allowing what he described as minor political disagreements to overshadow the projects launched during Ruto’s visit.
“Leo ilikuwa siku ya amani, hatutaki mambo madogo madogo ije kuharibu mambo ambaye ni makubwa,” he said.
Sigei thanked Ruto for visiting the region and launching development projects, while reaffirming his support for the President’s re-election bid.
“Sisi watu wa Sotik tunasema President William Ruto aende term ya pili,” he said.
The MP reiterated that his earlier reference to a “one term” presidency was simply a verbal slip and not a reflection of a shift in his political allegiance.
“Unajua nilisema term ya kwanza, lakini nilikuwa nasema ‘one more term’ kwa kueleza vizuri,” Sigei said.
He also addressed those who had celebrated his initial remarks, telling them that his position remained firmly in support of Ruto serving two terms.
“Wale ambao walifurahia ile kitu ambayo nilitamka kwa makosa, poleni. Kwa sababu mimi niko kwa ‘two terms’ bila kupinga,” he said.
