Murang’a Senator Joe Nyutu has dismissed claims that the united opposition is driven by hatred for President William Ruto, saying it is the Head of State who has shown contempt for ordinary Kenyans.

Speaking during an interview on Citizen TV, Nyutu rejected suggestions that the opposition coalition is united only by its opposition to Ruto.

“We in the united opposition do not hate President Ruto. President Ruto hates us,” Nyutu said.

The senator also weighed in on the recent Ol Kalou by-election, arguing that the outcome reflected declining support for the President in the Mt Kenya region.

Nyutu said President Ruto, as the leader of the United Democratic Alliance (UDA), could not be separated from the party’s defeat.

“Saying margins do not matter is ridiculous. President Ruto is the party leader of UDA and when he lost in Ol Kalou, that was a statement against the President,” he stated.

He dismissed claims that Ruto was not on the ballot, comparing the situation to an ODM candidate losing in Siaya during the late Raila Odinga’s leadership.

According to Nyutu, the scale of UDA’s defeat was significant because Mt Kenya was one of the regions that overwhelmingly supported Ruto in the 2022 General Election.

He further defended former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua’s decision to ask Murang’a Governor Irungu Kang’ata not to campaign in the by-election, claiming there were fears that violence could have been orchestrated to disrupt the polls.

Nyutu maintained that the opposition remains focused on holding the government accountable and dismissed claims that it is motivated by personal hostility towards the President.