Economist and public intellectual David Ndii on Wednesday hit out at Deputy President William Ruto whom he described as an “insecure scoundrel”.

Ndii attacked the deputy president’s character in a series of tweets which were prompted by his advice that Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed drops the use of his PHD title.

The former NASA strategist praised Ahmed as an accomplished leader who did not need titled to get validation.

Grace Mugabe

“May I suggest you drop (PHD). Its bad PR. Your PM does not need credentialism - his leadership speaks for itself. Academic credentialism in Africa is the hallmark of insecure scoundrels like Grace Mugabe and William Ruto,” Ndii said while tweeting the account of the Ethiopian Prime Minister.

It was then that a Twitter user probed the economist on his relationship with Ruto, “ has WSR blocked you? He is the one so sensitive doesn’t like criticism or being told the truth as he loves pandering from his legion of criminal worshipping minions!”

Ndii responded by explaining that he and the DP do not follow each other, but added that they had gone to school together at the University of Nairobi where Ruto started his political career as a YK92 operative.

Oxford University

“I don’t follow him, he don’t follow me…lakini unajua we are contemporaries -  he was a year or two behind me in UON—and he knows to us he will always be a YK’92 thug,” Ndii stated.

The former political strategist, who holds a PHD, from Oxford University, responded firmly to Twitter users who attacked him over his criticism of Ruto.

“Ninyi sycophants ni wajinga sana (very stupid). If you see Ruto and I shaking hands and laughing what will you say?” he posed.