By Gĩtaũ Wa Kũng’ũ (Profgitauwakungu@Gmail.Com)
Did you know? The name “Rũruto” is the Gĩkũyũ language name for the Praying Mantis? It not only rhymes with President Ruto’s name but also his character and personality! This is an interesting message from Rũruto to Ruto William Samoei, the president of Kenya.
Well, today I was inspired to humorously link President William Ruto to the Praying Mantis, an insect known for its prayer-like pose. Surprisingly, the Gĩkũyũ people and many Kenyans who lovingly voted for him, are now fed up with the president’s administration!
“Rũruto” translates to the Praying Mantis, cleverly juxtaposing his public persona with the insect’s characteristics. During his campaigns, President Ruto often projected an image of piety and humility, much like the Praying Mantis appearing serene and devout while its forelimbs are folded in a prayerful manner. This appeal to spirituality resonated with many voters who found solace in his prayerful demeanor. Remember President Ruto in churches during the campaigns?
However, the Praying Mantis is also a formidable predator. Beneath its calm exterior lies a creature known for its predatory prowess, skillfully catching and devouring prey. This duality mirrors the perceptions of President Ruto’s governance. Despite his prayerful campaign image, some critics argue that his leadership style has been aggressive and assertive, aimed at consolidating power and implementing policies that benefit his administration. Do you remember the policy that wanted to tax church tithes?
Amongst the greatest clash of his policies and the people escalated in the 2024 Gen Z protests against Finance Bill. What of the infamous Adani deal, the controversial new universities funding model, the harangue about transition of NHIF to SHIF then SHA? Name them…
Adding to this metaphor, the Praying Mantis Kung Fu art exemplifies agility, patience, and precision in combat—traits that can be admired in effective leadership. Praying Mantis Kung Fu, also known as Tang Lang Quan, is a Chinese martial art that mimics the movements of the Praying Mantis.
Practitioners of this art exhibit a blend of calmness and deadly accuracy, waiting for the perfect moment to strike. This mirrors how President Ruto’s strategic and calculated moves during his political career have enabled him to navigate complex political landscapes successfully.
The Praying Mantis, like many other insects, has been severely affected by harmful agro-farming policies, particularly the indiscriminate use of chemicals and pesticides. These practices not only threaten the survival of the Praying Mantis but also disrupt the delicate balance of our ecosystems. When farmers spray chemicals to control pests, beneficial insects like the Praying Mantis often become collateral damage, leading to a decline in their population. They’re crying for conservation! It’s upon president Ruto to have the government revise poor agrochemical policies and allow research into natural pest control methods before we have no Rũrutos to rhyme with his name!
Rũrutos have many advantages to nature humans. Their conservation is therefore important. Amongst them: Rũrutos are a natural pest control method! Praying Mantises are voracious predators that feed on a variety of garden pests, including aphids, caterpillars, and beetles. By controlling pest populations, they help maintain the health and balance of ecosystems without the need for chemical pesticides. President Ruto’s administration has been engaging in predatory tactics that started with preying of the official opposition by pulling Hon Odinga into Kenya’s AUC Chairperson 2025 campaigns. It progressed to the shooting of Gen Z protestors, escalated to abductions and killing of many critics to his government. By doing so, the president’s goal was wrongly advised and implemented, taking to critics predation as a means to maintain the longevity of his reign! Surely, there’s a better option than preying on critics to maintain his regime’s health.
Secondly, rũrutos offer biodiversity support.
While the Praying Mantis is a formidable predator, it too has its own set of natural enemies including birds, spiders, bats, and larger mantises. These predators play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of the ecosystem by controlling the population of Praying Mantises. Serving as both predator and prey, they contribute to the balance of natural ecosystems and support a wide range of other species. Now, if Dr. Ruto is not safe, his political ambition is prone to political predation if his stringent policies and stubbornness to take criticism positively shall well be his greatest undoing! Self-destruct mechanism!
3rdly, If you want to know whether a place is healthy, watch for the presence of Rũrutos! Their presence is an indicator of a healthy environment. Could there have been such proofs if there were no rũrutos studied by researchers and scholars? Their decline can signal ecological imbalances or environmental degradation, prompting conservation efforts.
As President, Ruto has a responsibility to protect these creatures from becoming endangered. The Praying Mantis, bearing a relationship to his nickname, symbolizes the delicate balance in nature that needs to be preserved. By taking action to conserve these insects, President Ruto can demonstrate a commitment to upholding respect for his constitutional role and responsibilities, environmental stewardship and the protection of biodiversity.
Additionally, promoting the development of indigenous languages, such as Gĩkũyũ and all other indigenous languages, can play a crucial role in decoding symbolic messages and preserving cultural heritage, as illustrated.This shall not only foster a deeper appreciation of cultural diversity and help in fighting tribalism but also aids in the conservation of important aspects of Kenya’s natural and cultural heritage.
This comparison captures the complex nature of both the insect and the leader, emphasizing the delicate balance between appearance and reality, and how public perceptions can sometimes mask deeper, more formidable qualities.
(The writer is a Moi University Student, HAI Ebookclub founder and Commonwealth Youth Council-CYC Back Office, Africa Regional Officer for Research and Policy. He doubles as an editor, creative writer, poet and a human, climate action and biodiversity conservation rights activist and aspiring author and innovator)
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