President William Ruto took a lighthearted swipe at Nairobi Senator Edwin Sifuna while advocating for the Affordable Housing Programme during a development tour in Taita Taveta County.
Speaking to a crowd in Taita Taveta, the president stressed that rural counties should benefit from multi-story residential developments similar to those underway in major cities, lightheartedly addressing previous opposition critiques regarding high-rise living and rural lifestyle needs.
“Yale yanafanyika, kama ghorofa inajengwa Nairobi, nimesema ghorofa ijengwe na huku pia. Na kama kuna shida ya kupandisha kuku, tuweke lifts. Itapanda na kuku pia. Salala, mko na mambo nyinyi!” Ruto joked, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Translation: (“What is happening, if a multi-storey building is being constructed in Nairobi, I have said a multi-storey building should also be constructed here. And if there is a problem carrying chickens upstairs, let us install lifts. It will go up with the chickens too. My goodness, you people are something else!”)
Background to the Chicken Feud
The President’s remarks stem from an exchange that began in July 2026, when Senator Sifuna criticized the design of 12-storey affordable housing blocks constructed in Funyula, Busia County. Sifuna argued during an interview that high-rise apartment models fail to account for the everyday lifestyle of rural and semi-urban households.
“We Luhyas cannot live in a place where our chickens cannot. Tell me, boss, how will your chicken get to the 12th floor?” Sifuna remarked at the time.
Ruto previously responded during a State House engagement with informal sector workers, taking issue with leaders who mock national development programs without providing alternative policy solutions.
Sifuna later retorted on social media, writing: “Ku argue na mimi mambo ya kuku ni kama ku argue na Methu mambo ya waru” (Arguing with me about chickens is like arguing with Senator Methu about potatoes).
Development Expectations in Taita Taveta
Turning to regional development during the Sunday event, President Ruto expressed surprise at the extensive list of project requests presented by local leaders, interpreting the demands as a sign of strong public trust in his administration’s execution capacity.
“So, lakini mnajua nyinyi mumenishangaza. Mumenishangaza na imani yenu. Eh, mko na imani bwana. Mko na imani kweli kweli. Yale mambo mmenieleza hapa… fanya hii, fanya hii, fanya hii, na hii pia, na uongezee hiyo. Eh! Imani mkonayo!” the President said.
(“So, but you know you people have surprised me. You have surprised me with your faith. Eh, you really have faith, my friends. You have faith indeed. The things you have told me here… do this, do this, do this, and this too, and add that one as well. Eh! You truly have faith!”)
The Kenya Kwanza administration continues to push its flagship housing initiative across all 47 counties, framing the multi-storey residential projects as vital drivers for urban planning, land conservation, and employment creation for local artisans.
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