‘Usiniletee maneno ya mtu mjinga’ – Ruto reacts to journalist over Gachagua’s minerals remarks
‘Usiniletee maneno ya mtu mjinga’ – Ruto reacts to journalist over Gachagua’s minerals remarks
President William Ruto, on Thursday, October 1, 2026, during an interview, lost his temper after a journalist questioned him about former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s remarks concerning Kenya’s mineral wealth.
The journalist sought Ruto’s response to Gachagua’s concerns over mineral resources and their exploitation, prompting the president to dismiss the former deputy president’s remarks before shifting the conversation to his administration’s plans for the mining sector.
“Usiniletee maneno ya mtu mjinga kama huyo tafadhali. Tuongee maneno mengine, yule ni mpuuzi sana yule,” Ruto said.
The President then emphasised the importance of minerals to Kenya’s economy, saying his administration had undertaken measures to reform the sector and improve accountability in the management of the country’s natural resources.
“Sikizeni. Kusema ukweli, mambo ya Madini ni mambo ya muhimu sana. Ni nini nimetafanya, ili tuweze kusahihisha ile sekta ya mambo ya madini,” Ruto said.
Ruto’s remarks came days after Gachagua raised concerns over the proposed exploitation of niobium deposits at Mrima Hills in Kwale County.
Speaking in Kansas City, United States, on Saturday, September 19, 2026, Gachagua said he would oppose any agreement that would allow Kenya’s mineral wealth to be exploited without sufficient benefit to Kenyans.
“We will not allow William Ruto to sell our mineral deposits from Mrima Hills,” Gachagua said, adding that niobium was important for electric vehicles and advanced technology.
Gachagua further said he was prepared to pursue legal action over the proposed exploitation of the deposits.
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“And even if we have to go to court, we will do so. After this meeting, I will talk to a few lawyers; we start preparing the paperwork because we can’t allow this to happen,” he said.
On Sunday, September 20, 2026, Gachagua again addressed the mineral issue while engaging Kenyans in Kansas City.
He said that Ruto’s visit to the United States, where the President was scheduled to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly, was also intended to advance discussions on Kenya’s critical minerals.
“His real mission in the United States is to come and seal a deal with Americans on how Niobium will be exploited from Kenya,” Gachagua said.
Gachagua also urged Kenyans, particularly residents of Kwale, to demand accountability over the mineral deposits, which he put at a value of about Ksh8.2 trillion
“What are the leaders in Kwale doing with mineral deposits worth Ksh 8.2 trillion that could turn their county into a haven?” he asked.
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