•Ruto retaliated that his administration is keen on fully transforming the economy of the country, through various projects.
•Ruto said under his leadership, no illegal groups will be allowed to thrive and trouble peace in the country.
Image: PCS
It was a bitter-sweet week for President William Ruto as he toured three counties as well as headed to Djibouti and Switzerland.
In every place he went, Ruto defended the bottom-up economic agenda as well as championed the proposed Finance Bill, 2023.
Monday
On June 12, 2023, the President joined other leaders for the 14th Ordinary Assembly of the IGAD Heads of State and Government in Djibouti.
It was the first IGAD summit since 2019 that sought to emphasize the importance of promoting regional diplomacy and cooperation.
Ruto also engaged in bilateral talks with his Djibouti counterpart President Ismail Omar Guelleh during the visit.
In an agreement between the two, Kenya will be sending English teachers to Djibouti as the country seeks to integrate the language into its curricula.
Tuesday
Back in Kenya, on Tuesday, World record holder Faith Kipyegon and sprinter Ferdinand Omanyala received royal treatment after being hosted by President Ruto at State House.
For the two records she broke for 5,000 meters and 1,500 meters, Ruto awarded Kipyegon with Sh5 million and a house worth Sh6 million.
This, he said, will be a reward for the two records she broke for 5,000 meters and 1,500 meters.
The President added that it will be the same for all the other world record breakers that will come after Faith Kipyegon.
Omanyala the 100m champion got Sh2 million.
Image: PCS
A tough-speaking President was heard later in the day as he went to Kirinyaga to Commission Kerugoya Level 5 Hospital.
Ruto said under his leadership, no illegal groups will be allowed to thrive and trouble peace in the country.
''There will be nothing like Mungiki in this country because we know the losses they have caused,'' he said.
The President blamed the opposition for mobilising a resurgence of the outlawed Mungiki group for political reasons but affirmed that his administration will firmly deal with illegal groups of any kind.
''Let me tell you Kenyans that we will not allow illegal groups. Those opposition leaders are trying to bring back Mungiki, bhang, extort Kenyans with illegal levies, and trouble our mothers,'' Ruto said.
Wednesday
A new dawn was witnessed on Wednesday and President Ruto expressed confidence in Noordin Haji as he started his new role as National Intelligence Service (NIS) boss.
Ruto said that he had no doubt that Haji is the best person for the role he has been appointed to.
He later intensified his call to convince Kenyans to contribute towards the proposed housing levy while in Naivasha, Nakuru county during the Kenya Urban Forum 2023.
While answering questions in regard to the Affordable Housing Programme, Ruto said so many people in Kenya don't have homes, that's why the housing fund will come in handy for many.
"They have nowhere. Many people cannot connect the dots between housing and jobs. More jobs will be created through this program."
At the same time, Ruto was a happy man as MPs voted in favour of the Finance Bill 2023, paving the way for its determination by the committee of the whole House.
176 MPs voted to endorse at the second reading stage while 81 MPs out of 257 opposed the bill now moving to the committee of the whole House where members will have a chance to push through their amendments.
Thursday
President Ruto on Thursday joined other delegates at the International Labour Conference in Geneva, Switzerland.
In his keynote address, he retaliated that his administration is keen on fully transforming the economy of the country, through various projects.
Ruto's participation in the ILO Conference underscores his dedication to championing social justice and creating an environment where all individuals can thrive
As expected, Ruto has assured Kenyans abroad that his administration is keen on creating jobs for the youth.
Speaking to the Kenyan community in Geneva, Switzerland, the head of state insisted that he is also focused on creating a conducive environment for Kenyans at home, as well as those in the diaspora.
At the same time, Sudan's Army General Abdel Fattah al-Burhan opposed Ruto's chairmanship, stating that Kenya is not neutral and continues to harbor leaders of the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) rebels.
Kenya was elected as Chair of the IGAD quartet to resolve issues in Sudan on June 12, 2023, in Djibouti; other countries in the quartet include Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia.
Sudan also rejected the Igad mediation schedule, which would have seen Ruto arrange for a face-to-face meeting, for the first time, between the two warring generals.
Saturday
After his Geneva trip, President Ruto on Saturday was in Meru for the 8th Annual Dairy Farmers Field Day.
He promised to ensure the money is recovered even as he assured of radical changes to streamline the Cooperatives and Saccos across the country.
“Mnipatie wiki mbili niende nitafute hiyo pesa nilete, huyo gavana nitaenda kuPambana na yeye kwa sababu hawezi kuhama na pesa ya wakulima,” Ruto said.
He pledged that Meru Central Dairy Cooperative Union Sh100 million for farmers to set up an animal feed factory.
Ruto also assured members of a Meru cooperative that he will ensure Sh71 million debt owed to a county in the region is fully repaid.
Today (Sunday), Ruto will attend a Thanksgiving service in Kakamega County.