Gachagua praises Ruto for striking major deals with US

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has said that President William Ruto's state visit to the United States has been highly successful.

The DP praised the Head of State for striking major agreements beneficial to the country.

Gachagua said the President has affirmed his great leadership skills among the League of Nations.

The DP added that the country has earned huge respect globally for raising its profile during the visit to the US.

"We are proud of our President. His visit to the United States has earned a lot of fortune that will be beneficial to our country. He has brought respect and honour to our country," the DP said.

The Deputy President spoke on Saturday when he attended the ordination of Rt Reverend John Kiplimo Lelei as Auxiliary Bishop of Eldoret Catholic Diocese at Mother of Apostles Seminary in Eldoret town.

The Ordination was presided over by Apostolic Nuncio to Kenya Archbishop Hurbetus Van Megen.

"On behalf of our President H.E William Ruto and the entire Government, it is Hearty Congratulations to the Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Eldoret, Rt Rev John Kiplimo Lelei on your Episcopal Ordination," Gachagua said.

The Deputy President said the Government is focused on delivering services to the people and will continue to work closely with the Church in the implementation of the development agenda.

He said the Catholic Church, even before independence, has been instrumental in the socio-economic transformation of the country through various critical sectors.

"The State and the Church are one. The mission hospitals run by the Catholic Church are critical in providing complementary healthcare services to the people. We will work together to improve the lives of the people," he said.

Ruto bagged a lot of goodies during his state visit to the US, including securing billions to boost healthcare, security and delivery of government services.

The visit marked 60 years of official US and Kenya partnership founded on shared values, deep cooperation and a common vision for the future, yielded tangible benefits in many areas.

Government Spokesman Isaac Mwaura said Ruto's state visit has benefited Kenyans with over Sh600 billion worth of grants equipment and projects.

He said Kenya received Sh3.2 billion for the Kenya Literacy Program for Grade 1-3 children and 16 helicopters to bolster regional peace and security.

The country, he said, also received Sh291 million to improve prisons and Sh924 million for the modernisation and professionalisation of the National Police Service.

He said another Sh5.2 billion is for Democracy, Human Rights and Governance programming, Sh198 million for support towards electoral reforms ahead of the 2027 elections and Sh561 million for anticorruption initiatives.

"We have also received Sh477 billion for a six-lane Dual Nairobi - Mombasa carriageway that will reduce travel to 4.5 hours, Sh22.8 billion investment plan with Coca-Cola that will help generate over 3,000 jobs and Microsoft is set to invest over Sh130 billion for AI models development and research including in Kiswahili language," he said.

According to the government spokesman, other benefits include KDF soldiers being trained at US Military, Naval and Air Force academies, construction of a 3-kilometre runway at Manda Bay airfield in Lamu and provision of support to local universities and Non-Profit Organisations.