President’s Diary: Ruto silent as DP faces impeachment

 

President William Ruto

This week proved to be a challenging one for President William Ruto who returned from a week-long tour in the US only to face mounting tensions over the planned impeachment of his deputy.

Ruto returned to the country Monday morning from New York where he has been attending the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

His schedule has been relatively quiet with minimal public appearances as the impeachment debate unfolds.

He has also maintained silence about the matter.

While the fallout between Ruto and Rigathi Gachagua has not been revealed, it can only be likened to the biblical teachings where Jesus said “He who shares my bread has lifted his heel against me.”

Ruto appears to have decided to let him go.

His troops managed to marshal support from nearly the whole House to meet the threshold for impeachment.

In the motion tabled by Kibwezi West MP Mutuse Mwengi, at least 291 MPs appended their signatures in support.

Gachagua is set to appear before the House on Tuesday to defend himself from the accusations levelled against him

Mutuse has listed 11 grounds for support of the impeachment.

October 2

At State House, Nairobi, he held a meeting with the East Africa Community (EAC) Secretary General Veronica Nduva who was accompanied by her deputies Annette Ssemuwemba and Andrea Aguer Ariik.

The discussions centred on reforms of EAC institutions and their systems in an effort to make them more efficient and to reduce the cost of trade and business.

“Digitisation will provide the platform enabling the EAC to be fit-for-purpose and serve member states and the citizens better,” he said.

On the same day, he opened the 2024 Magical Kenya Travel Expo at Uhuru Gardens in Lang’ata.

The four-day event organised by the Ministry of Tourism ends September 4.

MKTE is an annual gathering that brings together industry leaders, policymakers, innovators, exhibitors and scholars to explore the future of tourism in Africa.

This year's theme is "Journey Through Time: Exploring African Heritage and Diaspora Tourism".

In his address, Ruto said Kenya expects to receive a record number of tourists at 2.5 million by the end of this year alone.

By 2027, he revealed, the target is to attract 5 million visitors.

He emphasised the need to upgrade infrastructure, offer incentives to the hospitality industry and promote a rich and diverse culture to help attain the full potential of our country.

“Our target is to make Kenya a must-visit destination,” he stated.

He wrapped the day’s events with talks with a group of current and ex-governors and mayors from Africa under the African Mayoral Leadership at the State House.

The delegation which also included philanthropists was led by Jamie Cooper and Nairobi Governor Johnson Sakaja.

During the meeting, Ruto commended the group for impactful leadership and efforts to build safe, smart and green cities for Africa's future.

He noted that with rapid urbanisation, Kenya is making significant strides by investing in housing, climate resilience and infrastructure to support this transformation.

“We must therefore find ways of dealing with the urgent challenges and immense opportunities in African urbanisation,” he said.

  October 3

Ahead of this year’s Mashujaa Day celebrations to be held in Kwale County, he met architects, engineers, quantity, surveyors, bankers, manufacturers, industrialists and jua kali representatives.

The meeting was held at State House, Nairobi.

During the meeting, he recognised that housing remains a central pillar of the Kenya Kwanza administration as it promises to create jobs, eliminate slums and protect agricultural land from unnecessary sub-divisions that may create food insecurity.

“Together, we will advance the housing agenda for the long-term development and growth of our country,” he said.

October 4

At State House, he bade farewell to Sierra Leone High Commissioner to Kenya Isatu Aminata Bundu, who has completed her tour of duty in Kenya.

During their talks, the president acknowledged that Kenya and Sierra Leone have strong diplomatic relations based on mutual respect.

“These ties have been strengthened by the commitment of our two countries to pan-Africanism and regional stability,” he said.

The two nations, he noted, are exploring more opportunities for enhancing cooperation in agriculture, education and tourism, among others.

by FELIX KIPKEMOI