In a bold remark reflecting the deepening political rifts, KANU Secretary for Political Affairs Derrick Barasa has accused President William Ruto of offering an insincere apology, calling it both superficial and a violation of the Constitution.

During an interview with a local TV station on May 30, 2025, Barasa remarked, “We know that the president did not mean an inch of the things he said that day. He butchered the constitution when he made that apology.”

Barasa criticised the President for offering empty promises instead of taking decisive action, especially regarding the rising cases of abductions.

He emphasised that the country needs urgent and bold intervention, saying, “Instead of standing firm and directly addressing the suspects behind the abductions, the President is handing out false promises. This country is in dire need of a surgical solution to root out these problems once and for all.”

He described the recent events as mischievous, accusing the President of making promises in vain. He argued that the President’s approach aims to confuse the younger generation by blurring the lines between symbolic gestures and substantive actions.

“He has been engaging in a series of symbolic acts just to show awareness of the situation, but we have never seen any reparative or concrete action from the President and his administration,” Barasa added, referring to the recent spate of abductions.

This comes amid President Ruto’s recent apology during a televised address from State House, Nairobi, where he acknowledged shortcomings in governance and pledged to uphold the rule of law.

He committed to addressing citizens’ concerns and promised greater transparency, accountability, and respect for the constitution.

However, Barasa dismissed this apology as hollow and politically motivated. “It was not an honest admission of fault but a strategic move to pacify critics while continuing to undermine constitutional values,” he said.

During the same interview, Barasa was challenged by Kiprono, a political analyst and supporter of the President. Kiprono argued, “The President’s apology shows humility and a willingness to correct course. Calling it insincere dismisses the progress made and fuels unnecessary division.”

Barasa fired back, “Progress? You call undermining the constitutional progress? This is about accountability, not political spin. The President’s apology is a slap in the face to every Kenyan who believes in our laws.”

The exchange grew tense, with both men passionately defending their views. The moderator had to intervene to steer the conversation back to a more civil tone.

Concerns about constitutional integrity

Barasa argued that the apology, rather than being a sincere effort to address the concerns of Kenyans, was a calculated move that ultimately undermined the spirit of the constitution. “He butchered the constitution when he made that apology,” he emphasised, adding that KANU sees the move as a clear violation of constitutional norms.

KANU, one of Kenya’s oldest political parties, has been vocal about governance and democratic principles, frequently positioning itself as a watchdog in Kenya’s political landscape. Barasa’s remarks appear to reinforce KANU’s stance on the need for genuine political accountability and adherence to constitutional values.

A growing rift

This development comes at a time of heightened political activity in the country, with leaders from different parties positioning themselves ahead of upcoming electoral and policy battles. Barasa’s comments reflect not just a critique of the President’s words, but also a warning shot about the need to protect constitutional integrity at all costs.

As the political conversation unfolds, Kenyans will be watching to see whether the President responds to these pointed accusations and how the debate shapes the national discourse on governance and accountability.