President Ruto Sparks Gender Debate With Sharp Eating Fare Comment

President William Ruto has ignited fresh public debate after declaring that women are not the only ones who “eat fare,” bluntly adding that some men are equally guilty.

The President made remarks during a public address. They aimed to challenge stereotypes. The remarks also called out selective criticism often directed at women in leadership and public service.

In Kenyan political slang, “eating fare” commonly refers to benefiting from allowances, perks, or public resources without delivering commensurate results.

Ruto’s statement was therefore interpreted as a wider critique of entitlement, misuse of resources, and double standards in public discourse.

The President stated that men are also culpable. He sought to reframe the conversation away from gender blame. The focus shifted toward individual responsibility.

Ruto noted that corruption, wastage, and a culture of entitlement cut across gender lines, sectors, and political affiliations.

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He cautioned against narratives that unfairly target women. He argued that such framing distracts from the real problem. The real problem is the systemic abuse of public resources by individuals who should know better.

According to the President, integrity and accountability must apply equally to everyone entrusted with public office.

The comments come at a time when the government is under pressure. They need to demonstrate tangible progress in fighting corruption. Additionally, they must reduce unnecessary public spending.

Ruto reiterated his administration’s commitment to sealing loopholes that enable misuse of funds, insisting that no one would be protected on the basis of status, gender, or political connections.

However, the remarks have drawn mixed reactions. Some leaders and civil society groups welcomed the statement. They said it was a timely reminder that corruption is not gender-specific. It should be addressed holistically.

Others accused the President of oversimplifying a complex issue, arguing that strong rhetoric must be matched with decisive action and high-profile prosecutions.

On social media, the statement quickly went viral, triggering heated discussions about leadership ethics, gender equality, and accountability.

Supporters praised Ruto for “speaking the uncomfortable truth,” while critics challenged him to name and punish those “eating fare” within government ranks.

As the debate rages on, Ruto’s message was clear accountability has no gender, and Kenya’s fight against misuse of public resources will only succeed if everyone is held to the same standard.