Dennis Lubanga, a Kenyan journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than 10 years of experience covering politics, news, and feature stories across digital and print media in Kenya. Strasbourg, France – President William Ruto on Tuesday, November 21 received a standing ovation from members of the European Union Parliament after his address. President William Ruto (c) reacted after getting a standing ovation. Photo: William Ruto. Source: Twitter Ruto addressed a session of the EU Parliament in Strasbourg, France, where he emphasised the importance of EU-Kenya and EU-Africa cooperation. READ ALSO William Ruto Promises 200,000 Jobs for Kenyans from His Visit to Germany The head of state said such cooperation can be found in areas of green transition and industrialisation. PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see TUKO News on your News Feed He also talked about the climate-related emergency ahead of the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference, or Conference of the Parties of the UNFCCC, more commonly referred to as COP28, scheduled for next week. This was President Ruto’s first address to the EU Parliament as head of state. TUKO.co.ke understands that the European Parliament is an important forum for political debate and decision-making at the EU level. How Kenyans reacted to William Ruto’s speech However, Kenyans on social media quickly poked fun at the move by the foreign lawmakers to accord President Ruto a standing ovation. TUKO.co.ke sampled some of the reactions below: @SeniorBarrack wrote: “Members of the European Parliament were astonished by the “Story za Jaba” that one Mr. William Ruto was perpetuating in his monologue that they had to give him a standing ovation at the end, and in the process officially revering him the accolade of the Greatest Liar of All Time.” Forgetting Robert Mugabe also used to receive standing ovations during his time.” @MetalJLama commented: “You are now Joseph Goebbels of William Ruto. The standing ovation was not because he said anything tangible but because he finished his boring, useless speech. The man talked for a long time but said nothing.” @ShadyOpiyo said: “President William Ruto, through #EPRA and #KRA, has today been accorded a standing ovation by the European Union parliament for overtaxing us even after securing a grant of KSh 3.3 billion that should be easing up the economic burden, but who knows, I already gave up on this regime!” @OligarchK “Standing ovation for Dr who can’t manage petty issues in Kenya. Sometimes monetary value should never compromise our honesty. William Ruto is a disgrace to our economy. Very good speaker and sweet talker. But very poor implementers of policies.” @organicfarmKE said “Kenyans concentrate on oratory skills and dressing.” READ ALSO Kenyan Newspapers Review for November 20: Uhuru Confident Azimio Will Defeat William Ruto in 2027 Elections Why William Ruto was in Germany Earlier, TUKO.co.ke reported that President Ruto was in Berlin, Germany, for the G20 Compact with Africa Conference. During his visit to the European country, President Ruto promised to secure job opportunities for more than 200,000 Kenyans. Speaking in Bomet County on Sunday, November 19, Ruto reiterated that German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed to offer 250,000 skilled and semi-skilled Kenyans work visas during his visit in May 2023.
BY Dennis Lubanga