The Mt Kenya Times 
President William Ruto
By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga
Worth Noting:
- The Japan’s visit have once again proved that he was truly committed to walk the talk. This is in terms of strengthening ties and creating new linkages with community of the world.
- As a developing country, Kenya cannot be able to raise and generate enough financial resources for the implementation of mega development projects and provision of other crucial and critical services to Kenyans.
- As we recall, the Kenya Kwanza ascended to power on a platform of a raft of pre-election promises.
- President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have been reiterating they were committed to fulfill them. They have so far made great strides.
Japan tops the list of Kenya’s leading international development partners. The just-concluded President Ruto’s 2-day state visit to Japan was premised on this key consideration.
Kenya secured goodies worth Sh350 billion. This could not have happened if Dr Ruto opted to snub the trip and instead sent a low keyed Kenyan delegation to represent him.
The deals signed after the bilateral talks between the host and visiting head of state are major. As such, this visit was long overdue.
Japan’s history of partnership with Kenya dates back to 60 years.
Kenya has once again reaped big from the head of state’s trip to Japan.
A lion share of Sh350 billion will go towards to infrastructural development, energy, security sector as well as boosting agriculture, Trade and Investment sectors.
This time, I have not heard the opposition leaders making usual political noises.
This is because of realization that Kenyans did no longer believe their narrative that the visits were of no benefit to them and amounted to wastage of their taxes.
Just like the previous trips, President William Ruto would not drop the ball or get distracted by the noises.
The Japan’s visit have once again proved that he was truly committed to walk the talk. This is in terms of strengthening ties and creating new linkages with community of the world.
As a developing country, Kenya cannot be able to raise and generate enough financial resources for the implementation of mega development projects and provision of other crucial and critical services to Kenyans.
As we recall, the Kenya Kwanza ascended to power on a platform of a raft of pre-election promises.
President William Ruto and his deputy Rigathi Gachagua have been reiterating they were committed to fulfill them. They have so far made great strides.
Sometimes back DP Gachagua stated that we are not able to raise enough resources and so these big projects we have been launching are funded by our foreign development partners and donors.
He spoke in the presence of the President in Coast during a launch of a Sh3 billion project. This is one of such projects.
The DP repeated the same sentiments during Kapsaita cross country marathon where he was a chief guest.
He had been invited by Farouk Kibet, President William Ruto’s top aide, to this event in Uasin Gishu county.
Ignore those claiming that President Ruto was making too many foreign travels.
They were our political enemies. They want us to fail so that they can use this card to discredit our leadership. But we are clever than them.
We inherited a government that had been run down. For one year, we have made great progress. I’m sure you now agree with me that things are starting to get better.
The DP further stated: President Ruto is the father of our nation.
Given that this is the position held by the world leaders, the President was obligated to honor their respective invitations.
If he failed, Kenya would not have been considered for the concessional loans and grants.
Besides, President Ruto’s commitment to the course of Pan-African agenda and climate change has in the recent past thrust him into international limelight.
I recall when he first jetted out to Dubai, United Arab Emirate, to attend United Nations Conference of State Parties on Climate Change (COP28).
He ably presented the narrative and position of Africa. He had earlier convened the inaugural Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi. Dubbed Nairobi declaration, the Africa heads of state government had chosen him to push for the adoption of blueprint at COP28.
Dr Ruto would not let them down. Most of the resolutions were adopted without any amendment.
On the sidelines of Dubai summit, Ruto signed agreements and deals worth Sh680 billions for Kenya. The lion share of the funds will go towards mitigating effects of climate change. With this, Kenya is set to become the pioneer in Africa Green Industrialization Initiative.
From Dubai, President Ruto flew to India for a two-day maiden state visit. He was accorded a warm reception. After being received and welcomed by his host Her Excellency and Prime Minister Nehedra Modi, he inspected a guard of honor mounted by Indian military.
After this, they proceeded for bilateral talk. The talks bore the fruits. President Ruto managed to secure Sh38 billion for Kenya. The money will boost key sectors of our economy including agriculture, health, education and digital economy.
Dr Ruto had a month earlier made a state visit to Germany and later France.
This came hot on the heels of bilateral talks he had held with the President of Germany here in Nairobi.
He had also met the President of France. Two of these meetings took place on the sidelines of Global Conference of Parties on Climate change and United Nation General Assembly (UNGA).
The problem of unemployment in Kenya featured prominently in all these meetings.
Dr Ruto would mince no word in drawing the attention of these leaders to this issue.
In response, the President of Germany President assured him that his country will offer Kenya 200,000 jobs opportunities. I’m going to sit down with my government so that we draft the agreement.
Then Mr President William Ruto we will invite you for a state visit during which we will sign the final agreements which will pave the way for Kenyans to start working in Germany.
Before flying out, President Ruto informed Kenyans that this is one of issues taking him there.
Many people have no jobs. I promised to address this problem which i inherited from the previous administration. I’m committed to walk the talk.
President Ruto had a few days earlier visited Saudi Arabia where he managed to secure 350,000 job opportunities for Kenyans.
The noise being made by my critics that the visits are not bearing any fruits is hollow, totally misleading and being made in bad faith. I’m not a tourist. I mean business. The business is to return our economy back on track and consequently elevate your leaving standards.
You know these critics. They want me to fail and capitalize on this that i never kept my words during the campaigns for next General Election.
It is worth noting when President Uhuru Kenyatta ascended to power, he also made similar trips.
Those faulting Dr Ruto today did not raise a finger at the time. This is because Uhuru was thier buddy.
Recently, President Ruto made a high profile official visit to China where he stayed for three days. It was the first since he assumed office.
Just like his previous visits to European countries, he managed to secure lucrative deals worth Sh63 billion.
Under this arrangement, China will buy our avocados, tea, coffee and other farm produce.
He also convinced Chinese companies to rollout investments worth Sh644 billions in Kenya.
This trip came at a time when speculations were rife that he had shunned the East in favor of the West, a narrative peddled by those who cited his numerous visits to the Western capitals.
To me, it is too early to judge him. Dr Ruto is a democrat and a strong believer in the Kenyan constitution and the rule of law. So, he cannot make such a decision without seeking concurrence of the relevant arms of the Kenyan government.
It is worth noting that former President Mwai Kibaki laid the foundation that saw Kenya turning East and sought to strengthen ties with China.
As a result, China was awarded contracts worth billions of shillings.
Thika Superhighway, Lamu Port and Standard Guage Railway (SGR) were among the major projects clinched by the Asian giant.
Kibaki’s successor President Uhuru Kenyatta followed the suit.
On SGR, he managed to negotiate for a whopping contractual loan totalling to Sh370 billion.
The monies were used to construct the new modern line from Mombasa to Nairobi and to buy the rolling stocks.
For President Ruto, my considered view is that his wish is to maintain cordial relationship with all development partners.
In this maiden visit to China, President Ruto joined more than 100 heads of state and government invited by the President of China to attend the Belt and Road Forum.
During his tenure, President Uhuru used to attend these forum.
In one of them, he was accompanied by ODM leader Raila Odinga. This was during the reign of the ‘Handshake’ government.
Dr Ruto had a busy schedule during this visit. On the sidelines, he held talks with chief executives of the big companies.
Other deals he witnessed being signed covered strategic areas of mutual interest including energy and technology.
One of the firms agreed to help Kenya generate more energy at a lower cost. With this, hustlers in Kenya have a reason to smile as this would lead to lowering of the cost of electricity.
On technology, Ruto’s interventions were equally fruitful. The cost of the communication gadgets and internet services was bound to come down.
On SGR, I’m sure many recalls that this was a government-to- government deal. It follows that some of the key contents of agreement were not made the public.
The content become the top secret of Uhuru’s administration.
We recall that during this period the relationship between Uhuru his deputy Ruto had began to worsen. It did not take long before the implosion preceded by the ‘handshake’ between the President Uhuru and his arch rival Raila Odinga occurred.
From then, Dr Ruto was kept in darkness. Uhuru would not share critical information about the SGR project
It is worth noting that during the era of President Daniel Arap Moi, the West stood as Kenya’s key development partners.
For the contracts being awarded by President Ruto’s administration, the priority would be given to International firms always consider the that offer better terms. The cost of the project. But the quality of the work would surpass all the considerations.
Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political analyst based in Nairobi
Similar Posts by The Mt Kenya Times:
- Mt Kenya Times ePAPER July 31, 2026
- When advocacy meets politics: Crystal Asige’s removal raises questions about representation and inclusion
- KEMSA chief reaffirms commitment to accountability before Senate health committee
- Lucy Muchoki champions strategic partnerships to unlock healthcare investment and private sector growth
- Gachagua steps up consultations as DCP intensifies recruitment drive
About the Author
