President William Ruto speaking while hosting Marsabit County
Grassroots Leaders in State House, Nairobi on June 12, 2026/ PCSPresident William Ruto has defended his frequent foreign trips, saying Kenyans should focus on the benefits the country derives from the visits rather than the number of journeys he makes abroad.
Speaking on Friday while hosting grassroots leaders from Marsabit County at State House, Nairobi, Ruto responded to criticism over his international travel, saying each trip is aimed at advancing Kenya's economic and strategic interests.
"You know, I was looking at one of the headlines in the newspapers. 'William Ruto is travelling again," the President said.
"I wish they knew the kind of schedule that I have. I wish they knew what I've come to do. I have not come here as a tourist."
Ruto said his role as President includes serving as Kenya's chief diplomat and securing opportunities that can only be negotiated at the highest level.
"I am the chief diplomat of our country. People want to know what Kenya stands for," he said.
The President cited his recent visit to Brussels, Belgium, where he said Kenya was seeking to safeguard its Economic Partnership Agreement with the European Union while encouraging other East African Community member states to join the arrangement.
According to Ruto, the discussions were necessary to ensure the agreement remains beneficial to Kenya and the region ahead of planned expansion in the coming years.
He also said Kenya had made progress in negotiations on data adequacy, a framework that would facilitate the transfer and processing of data between Kenya and European countries.
Ruto described data governance as a critical component of the future digital economy, particularly as countries increasingly adopt artificial intelligence, cybersecurity systems and other technology-driven services.
"We've been discussing this with the EU, but I had to come so that we agree with them," he said.
"I'm very happy that we secured an agreement that by September this year, we will have a framework. It will be taken to the EU Parliament, and hopefully by early next year, Kenya will be as good as any European country."
The President said achieving such outcomes required direct engagement with senior European Union institutions, including the European Commission, the European Council and the European Parliament.
"It can only be done at my level if we want results, and it's part of my KPI as a President. It's part of my job to do it," he said.
Ruto also defended his visit to Norway, saying the trip was intended to strengthen cooperation in the maritime sector and unlock opportunities within Kenya's blue economy.
He said Norway hosts some of the world's largest shipping companies and has expertise that Kenya can leverage as it seeks to maximise the economic potential of its coastline.
The President said Kenya has historically underutilised its maritime resources but believes the sector can become a major contributor to national revenue.
"We can actually scale up our revenues from the blue economy from about Sh20 billion to Sh120 billion if we do the right thing," he said.
The President maintained that the trips are not personal excursions but strategic engagements aimed at attracting investment, expanding trade opportunities and positioning Kenya competitively in emerging sectors such as technology and the blue economy.
