Speaking on his political stance and conduct on Sunday, April 12, 2026, Methu maintained that his comments directed at the head of state were neither disrespectful nor out of line, emphasising the balance between respect and independence in leadership.
“I have known President William Ruto for quite some time, especially since I was elected, amongst his most favourite legislators then was myself. I have visited most of his farms. He campaigned for me, and I campaigned for him. It would be inappropriate for anybody to say that what I said was not appropriate before the president,” Methu said.
“I don’t fear him. I respect him as the head of state, as the commander in chief, as a parent; his sons are my age mates. It would be wrong for me to disrespect him, but it would also be wrong for me to fear him because if I fear him, I will not be a good leader.”
The senator also addressed criticism over his remarks made during a recent public event in Ol Kalou, where he declared that leaders should not feel compelled to show unquestioned loyalty to the president.
“I am not the first person to tell a president nakuheshimu lakini sikuogopi. You have seen Ruto telling Uhuru he doesn’t fear him. I said it on the podium at Ol Kalou, it is not my work to clap for William Ruto, that is not what has been provided in this Constitution.
If you read cover to cover, you cannot see a provision that a senator is supposed to clap for the president, but you will see that a senator is supposed to play oversight on the national government,” he added.
Methu further defended his decision to speak candidly during public gatherings, including funerals, saying leaders have a responsibility to represent the views of the people who elected them.
“If I die someday, I would want politicians to come and play a lot of politics at my funeral because I am a politician. My family must acknowledge and appreciate that I have been speaking at so many funerals. It cannot be that I have been speaking in so many funerals, but I do not want them to speak in mine,” he added.
“I lost my dad, and people came to bury my dad on the 2nd of January 2024, and there were many politicians. I never heard anybody from my family complain that politicians came to that funeral. I would never have forgiven myself if I left that podium without mentioning the things I had been sent by the people of Nyandarua.”
His remarks come amid heightened political discourse over the role of elected leaders, particularly on whether they should openly critique the executive or maintain loyalty to the administration.
Methu insisted that effective leadership requires courage and accountability, noting that fear of authority undermines the constitutional role of oversight entrusted to lawmakers.
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