President William Ruto speaking at the Burieruri High School community in Meru for their 60th Anniversary Thanksgiving Service on June 28, 2026 / PCS
President William Ruto has defended his frequent tours across the country, saying he will not be deterred by critics questioning his travel schedule because he was elected to serve all Kenyans.
The President said his nationwide visits enable him to understand the needs of citizens firsthand and oversee development projects.
Speaking on Sunday during the Service and 60th Anniversary celebrations at Burieruri Boys Senior School in Igembe Central, Meru County, Ruto dismissed criticism over his movements, saying no one had the authority to dictate how he spends his time while carrying out his responsibilities as the President.
"I am surprised that many people are questioning my schedule. They are asking why I go here and why I go there. I ask them, why these questions when the time is not yours and the legs that are walking are not yours? What is your interest in where I am going?" he said.
Ruto maintained that his tours are part of his mandate as a public servant and not a personal undertaking. He said visiting communities in person allows him to identify their challenges and ensure that government projects are implemented where they are most needed.
"There are people who do not understand the difference. They are saying that I have travelled around the country too much. I want to tell them that I am an employee of the people of Kenya and I have a responsibility to listen to Kenyans from every part of the country," he said.
"If I had not come here myself, would these schools have been built? I will continue travelling across the country. I do not need anyone's permission to use my time or my legs. I was employed by the people of Kenya."
The President said his administration is committed to ensuring equitable development across the country, arguing that some regions had previously been sidelined.
"There was discrimination in the past. Every part of this country and every community deserves equal attention, and I will continue working to unite them. I am not a king, as some people claim," Ruto said.
On June 4, President Ruto defended his demanding work schedule, dismissing suggestions that he should take a break and insisting that Kenya cannot afford to slow down in its pursuit of development.
The President said his calendar is already booked six months ahead as he remains focused on driving the country's transformation agenda.
Ruto said Kenya must accelerate its development if it is to catch up with countries such as Singapore, Malaysia, and South Korea, which were at a similar level of development decades ago but have since surged ahead.
The President noted that Kenya had lost valuable time while other nations remained focused on economic growth and development.
“Don't be worried about me. Some people are saying that I should have gone on holiday. If you want to go on holiday, you can go, it is okay. I have work to do; my diary is full six months ahead,” he said.
“But it is because the country needs hard work, we are even late. There are countries that were at the same level as us 60 years ago, including Singapore, Malaysia and Korea, but now they have left us behind because we have lost focus. We must accelerate our development and work an extra mile to ensure that Kenya reaches their level and even surpasses them."
Ruto said his administration is making steady progress and attributed the gains to God's favour and the commitment to implement development projects across the country.
