President William Ruto has strongly condemned what he termed as ethnic incitement and hate in the country, linking it to the killing of gospel artist Rachel Wandeto.
Speaking while on a tour of the Coast region, the Head of State warned political actors against using ethnicity and division to advance agendas, saying such actions would not be tolerated and would be accounted for in future.
Rachel Wandeto, a gospel artist, succumbed to severe injuries sustained during a brutal attack on May 16, 2026, in Mwiki, Kasarani, Nairobi.
Preliminary investigations indicate that she was walking home when she encountered three
men along 11th Street near Obama Road.
The assailants are reported to have doused her with a flammable liquid, and set her on fire before fleeing the scene.
She was rushed for treatment at Kenyatta National Hospital but later died from the extent of her injuries, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for swift justice from both the public and leaders.
Ruto’s Warning on Ethnic Incitement
President Ruto, while addressing residents at the Coast, linked the tragedy to what he described as organized ethnic incitement, warning that perpetrators of hate would be held accountable.
He said those without a coherent national vision would not be allowed to divide the country along tribal lines.
“Without fear of contradiction, those with no vision for our nation, no agenda, and no plan, will not divide our nation using ethnicity or hate.” He warned that those propagating tribal animosity would answer for it.
“The Life of Rachel Wandeto, will not go unanswered!” President Ruto added.
Call for National Unity
The President rejected political intimidation, ethnic profiling stating that no Kenyan should be branded a traitor for differing views.
He emphasized unity, saying Kenya would not be “blackmailed using ethnicity or hate,” and reiterated that Kenyans would not be divided through tribal narratives. He called for cohesion and insisted the country would continue moving forward as one nation.
“Hatuwezi kukubali, kuwaruhusu mutuuzie ukabila, chuki, blackmail, we are telling you, we will not allow you to blackmail anybody in Kenya!” Ruto added.
