Tag: President Ruto news

Kenyans online have expressed mixed reactions to President William Ruto’s latest overseas trip, with some expressing amusement and others raising concerns about the frequency and cost of his travels.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed announced that Ruto would be embarking on a two-day visit to Germany and France, aiming to strengthen Kenya’s economic and climate ties with the two countries and the European Union, and to advocate for a strong global consensus on climate action ahead of COP28.

However, many Kenyans on social media appeared unimpressed by the President’s latest foreign trip, which they perceived as excessive.

Mike Shiangala commented, “It was a pleasure hosting this gentleman in Kenya. Travel safely as we look forward to hosting you again in the coming future.”

Douglas Orang’i added, “He has overstayed. Bon voyage.”

Henry Kabogo echoed the sentiment, “It is not a must you tell us.”

Opiyo Denis sarcastically suggested, “Why can’t he propose to have a permanent residence in Europe? He can schedule to be attending church service in Kenya on Sundays and travel back to Europe in the evening to tackle climate change now that climate change to him is more urgent than the pain and suffering of Kenyans.”

Nicholas Robert opined, “He should do away with ambassadors because since he has taken their jobs they’ve been receiving salaries that they’ve not worked for. He should in fact add the roles of ambassadors and minister for foreign affairs into his portfolio.”

Nick Maina questioned the effectiveness of these trips, stating, “In this day and age, you people can’t realize it’s cheap to make the calls? Can you quantify with evidence that can independently verify the benefits accrued to Kenya by the trips?”

Since assuming office in September 2022, President Ruto has made 38 foreign trips, covering 45 cities across 38 nations over 83 days.

These foreign travels have cost the Kenyan taxpayer over Sh56 million in travel expenses for the first half of the financial year ending in June 2024.

In addition, there was a request from the National Assembly’s Defence Committee in May for an additional allocation of Sh1.3 billion for the President’s global travels, supplementing the Sh700 million already allocated by the Treasury.

In response to the concerns raised about his numerous foreign trips, President Ruto acknowledged public concern but defended his actions, stating that these trips are an integral part of his presidential duties.

“Concerning my foreign travels, that is my work as President. I am the chief agent of Kenya, I am the ambassador of Kenya planning on how the country moves forward,” he said.

“As the chief agent and chief ambassador of our country, these foreign trips, that people are making noise about are crucial because we can look for opportunities for Kenyans. We are a great nation and going places. We shall do the right thing and Kenya shall prosper,” the Head of State explained.

President William Ruto has publicly challenged opposition leader Raila Odinga to provide evidence supporting his claims that the government-to-government oil deal is a scam.

In a speech delivered during a church service in Bomet on November 19, 2023, Ruto vehemently defended the transparency of his administration and the legitimacy of the oil deal established between his government and Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.

Odinga had recently raised concerns over the deal’s transparency, urging the government to make public the contracts signed between the involved parties. In response, Ruto maintained the deal’s legitimacy and benefits, pointing to the interest of neighboring countries like Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda in pursuing similar agreements.

“I challenge the opposition to provide proof that the oil deal is a scam instead of demanding proof that it is not,” Ruto declared. He urged Raila to cease spreading misinformation, citing confirmation from oil marketers that the deal is in the best interest of Kenya and its citizens.

Ruto asserted that the contracts are publicly accessible and invited opposition legislators to review the documents in Parliament, emphasizing his administration’s commitment to transparency. “There is no secret contract anywhere,” Ruto stated, welcoming scrutiny from both government and opposition MPs.

Raila had previously cast doubt on the Government-to-Government (G2G) oil deal, signed in early 2023, questioning its effectiveness as the cost of oil had not decreased as intended. “The deal was a scam for which we now demand full disclosure and full accountability. It is corrupt and rotten to the core,” Raila asserted.

Ruto’s administration implemented the government-to-government oil supply contracts in March 2023 in response to the shilling’s significant depreciation against the dollar.

Despite the government’s rationale, Raila argued that landlocked countries relying on Kenya for oil are abandoning Kenya’s pipeline due to its rising costs. He also criticized the deal’s alleged secrecy, claiming that only two documents have been made public to date.

The escalating exchange between Ruto and Raila has intensified the already contentious narrative surrounding the controversial oil agreement.

President William Ruto has defended his numerous trips abroad, which have attracted criticism from some Kenyans. In a speech on Sunday, October 29, Ruto said that traveling abroad was part of his job as the head of state and that his trips were boosting Kenya’s bilateral ties and creating job opportunities for Kenyans.

Ruto said that he was currently in talks with Saudi Arabia to create 350,000 jobs for Kenyans, and that he would sign a bilateral agreement with the kingdom on his next visit there in three weeks.

“I have been traveling abroad because it is part of my job as the president,” Ruto said. “I am building relationships with other countries, which will benefit Kenya in the long run. For example, I am currently talking to Saudi Arabia about creating 350,000 jobs for Kenyans. This will be a huge boost for our economy.”

Ruto’s response comes after many Kenyans expressed their displeasure with his frequent travels, arguing that they are too expensive and that the president should be focusing on domestic issues. However, Ruto said that his trips are essential for Kenya’s economic development.

“I know that some people are not happy with my travels,” Ruto said. “But I want to assure them that I am doing this for the good of the country. I am building relationships with other countries that will help us to create jobs and grow our economy.“

It remains to be seen whether Ruto’s response will satisfy his critics. However, his defense of his travels is a reminder of the importance of bilateral relations for Kenya’s economic development.

President William Ruto has warned individuals who are planning to grab public land in Dagoretti, Nairobi. Speaking to a roadside crowd in Dagoretti constituency on Sunday, October 22, Ruto said that he will take decisive action against land grabbers and corrupt individuals.

“I have been informed by MP John Kiarie that there are people who want to steal public land here in Dagoretti,” Ruto said. “I want to tell those land grabbers, troublemakers, and corrupt individuals that they have three options: they can either return the land, they can face the full force of the law, or they can be dealt with by me personally.”

Ruto also vowed to use his presidential sword to “slay” the land grabbers and cartels. “I was given a sword on the day of my inauguration,” he said. “That sword is not for cutting vegetables. It is for cutting down these troublemakers. I will cut them down, and I will cut them down for good.”

The President’s warning comes amid growing concerns about land grabbing in Kenya. In recent years, there have been a number of high-profile cases of public land being illegally acquired by individuals and corporations. Ruto’s government has pledged to crack down on land grabbing, and his warning to land grabbers in Dagoretti is a sign that he is serious about his commitment.

Analysis

Ruto’s warning to land grabbers in Dagoretti is a significant development. It is a clear signal that the government is serious about cracking down on land grabbing, and it could lead to a crackdown on land grabbers in other parts of the country as well.

Ruto’s use of his presidential sword to symbolize his commitment to fighting land grabbing is also significant. It is a reminder that the president has the power to use the full force of the law to prosecute land grabbers.

It remains to be seen whether Ruto’s warning will have the desired effect. However, it is a positive step, and it suggests that the government is finally taking land grabbing seriously.

President William Ruto has broken his silence on the botched Uasin Gishu Finland and Canada Overseas Education Program, which left many students stranded after their parents paid the required fees but the program failed to deliver.

Ruto said that anyone found culpable in the misappropriation of funds would face the law. He also promised to help students who were heavily impacted by the scandal.

“Investigations are underway and anyone stole the money, they must repay or face the law,” Ruto said. “People must be refunded their money, whether they sold cows or land.”

Ruto also said that the students who were affected by the scandal would be granted scholarships to study in Kenya.

“I cannot accept such things,” Ruto said. “They are embarrassing us. I don’t want to say much but the police are sorting it out.”

Senator Jackson Mandago, who was the governor of Uasin Gishu when the program was launched, was arrested on Wednesday in connection with the scandal. He has admitted that the program was not a scholarship, although it was referred to as such by the county.

The investigation into the scandal is ongoing.

President William Ruto has nominated candidates for appointment to the Commission on Revenue Allocation (CRA) and the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

The nominations were made on the recommendation of the Public Service Commission (PSC).

For the CRA, President Ruto has nominated CPA Mary Wanyonyi as the Chairperson. Wanyonyi is a qualified accountant with over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She is currently the Deputy Director-General of the Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA).

For the SRC, President Ruto has nominated Dr. Ocharo Odhiambo as the Chairperson. Odhiambo is a qualified economist with over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. He is currently the Director of Economic Research at the Kenya Institute for Public Policy Research and Analysis (KIPPRA).

The nominations are now subject to parliamentary approval.

Background

The CRA is a constitutional body that is responsible for allocating revenue raised by the national government to the 47 counties. The SRC is a constitutional body that is responsible for setting and reviewing the salaries and allowances of all public officers.

The Nominations

The nominations of CPA Mary Wanyonyi and Dr. Ocharo Odhiambo are significant for a number of reasons.

First, they are the first time that the President has nominated candidates for appointment to these two important constitutional bodies.

Second, both Wanyonyi and Odhiambo are qualified and experienced professionals with a proven track record of success in the public and private sectors.

Third, the nominations are seen as a sign of President Ruto’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that these two important constitutional bodies are independent and impartial.

The Parliamentary Approval Process

The nominations of CPA Mary Wanyonyi and Dr. Ocharo Odhiambo will now be subject to parliamentary approval.

The National Assembly and the Senate will each have 21 days to consider the nominations. If a majority of members of either house vote against a nomination, the President will have to withdraw the nomination and nominate someone else.

If both houses approve the nominations, the President will then appoint CPA Mary Wanyonyi and Dr. Ocharo Odhiambo to the CRA and the SRC, respectively.