Ruto Fires Back At Sifuna Over T-Shirts, Says Wearing One Does Not Guarantee Young People’s Votes

President William Ruto has said that simply wearing a T-shirt does not guarantee anyone’s vote and especially the votes of young Kenyans. His remarks were widely shared on Sunday amid an ongoing political exchange over personal style and presidential ambitions.

“Merely putting on a T-shirt does not guarantee you anyone’s vote let alone the votes of young people” Ruto said. He added that he had heard some people complaining about clothing choices and insisted that how a person dresses is a personal decision. Referring to criticism of his own personal attire he asked what the jacket he wore at a recent wedding had to do with critics.

The statement follows remarks made a day earlier by Nairobi Senator and Linda Mwananchi leader Edwin Sifuna. He spoke at the burial of the sister of former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua on Saturday. Sifuna defended his preference for T-shirts and said critics claimed no one could enter State House dressed that way.

He argued that leadership should not be judged by the cost of clothing. He accused some leaders of extravagant fashion and cited claims about the value of the jacket and shoes and watch worn by Ruto at a wedding. Sifuna said many young supporters had urged him to keep the T-shirt look as he eyes the 2027 race.

Ruto’s response has been widely read as a direct answer to Sifuna whose casual dressing has repeatedly drawn political comment.

The exchange comes against the backdrop of a competitive 2027 landscape. Recent polling shows the two figures closely matched in public preference.

The comments show how personal image continues to feature in Kenya’s political talk even as leaders debate policies and alliances ahead of the next general election.

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