‘Wale wa kuiba shamba, mambo ni matatu’ – Ruto talks tough on land grabbers in Dagoretti

 

President William Ruto has issued a stern warning to individuals with intentions of grabbing public land in Dagoretti, Nairobi.

Addressing a roadside crowd in Dagoretti constituency on Sunday, October 22, the President promised to take decisive action against land grabbers and corrupt individuals.

"Huyu KJ (Dagoretti South MP John Kiarie ) ameniambia kuna watu wanataka kuiba shamba ya wananchi, ati pale tumeeka nyumba ya DC, tumeeka ofisi ya CDF, tumeeka makanika, na kiwanja iko pale, ati kuna mtu anataka kuiba iyo shamba, sasa acha mimi nimwambie nikiwa Dagoretti, hao grabbers na wakora wa pale, na wafisadi, mambo yao ni matatu... sijui kama tunaelewana," President Ruto declared.

Loosely translated, "KJ has informed me that there are people who want to steal public land here in Dagoretti. They say that we've built the DC's house, we've set up the CDF office, we've established workshops, and the plot is there, and there's someone planning to steal that land. So let me tell those land grabbers, troublemakers, and corrupt individuals, that they have three options...I don't know if we understand each other.

Ruto vowed to use his presidential sword to "slay" the land grabbers and cartels.

"Na kile kifaa nilipewa pale Kasarani, si pale Kasarani kuna kitu nilipewa, siku ya swearing in, unafikiria ni ya kukata mboga? Si ni ya kufyeka hawa wakora? Nitwafyeka kweli kweli," Ruto stated

"When I was sworn in at Kasarani, I was given a sword... Do you think the sword is for cutting vegetables? That sword is for slaying these cartels."

Ruto's 'Mambo ni Matatu' phrase

Ruto first used the 'Mambo ni Matatu' catchphrase when he declared war on cartels in the sugar sector.

During a speech in Bungoma county in August, the President accused influential business figures engaged in power struggles for control over Mumias Sugar Company of obstructing efforts to revitalize struggling public sugar mills in the Western region.

In what was perceived by leaders in the opposition led by Raila Odinga as apparent death threats, the Head of State gave the investors three options.

“We will not entertain any court cases. They should withdraw the cases or go themselves. I told them there are only three things. If they want to cause trouble, either they leave the country or I will take them to jail or they go to heaven,” a tough-talking Ruto said.

The phrase garnered significant attention from the Kenyan public, and even some corporate entities embraced it to promote their products and services.

Subsequently, the President sought to secure exclusive rights to the phrase by filing for a patent through the legal representation of Adrian Kamotho Njenga & Company Advocates.

This means that he now possesses exclusive legal rights to use the phrase, rendering it illegal for others to employ it without his permission.   By Ascah Mwango