President William Ruto has hit back at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna’s widely ridiculed chicken analogy, using a public address in Nairobi State House to mock those opposing the government’s Affordable Housing Programme and calling them “mafala” (fools).

Speaking at the event, where he hosted more than 5,000 artisans from Nairobi County, President Ruto took a firm stance as he praised the progress of Nairobi’s housing projects.

“Leo Kibra inabadilika, leo Nairobi inakuwa na sura mpya, ni kweli si kweli? Hapa Nairobi tuko na projects 36 za affordable housing ambazo zinaendelea. Na tunajenga nyumba 180,000 kwa sasa,” he said.

He then responded directly to Sifuna’s remarks, dismissing them.

“Halafu kuna watu ambao wanatueleza ya kwamba wananchi waendelee kukaa kwa slums, eti kwa sababu kuku hawezi kupandishwa kwa ghorofa ya kumi na tano. Ni mafala si mafala? Mafala sana… Yaani mnatubeba ufala kiasi gani my friend?” he said, drawing loud cheers from the crowd.

The remarks were a direct response to comments Senator Sifuna made during an interview on Mulembe FM on Tuesday, July 21, where he used an analogy about chickens to criticise the government’s affordable housing units in Funyula.

Sifuna argued that the twelve-storey buildings were impractical for the Luhya community, saying Luhya people are accustomed to homes where even their chickens can walk in freely.

“Sisi Waluhya tunajua hatuishi mahali kuku yetu haiwezi kuingia. Kuku yako itaingia twelfth floor, bwana boss?” he asked.

He also pointed out that the buildings reportedly lacked lifts, forcing residents to climb up to twelve floors on foot.

The remarks quickly went viral and drew widespread ridicule online, with many questioning whether Sifuna had undermined his own credibility as an opposition voice on housing.

However, Senator Sifuna retorted, “Ku argue na mimi mambo ya kuku ni kama ku argue na Methu mambo ya Waru.”