Ruto's action-packed week: From church service to IG Kanja's appointment

This week was yet another packed one for President William Ruto, who returned from a trip to Germany last Sunday.

On Sunday, he attended two church events, starting with Steward Revival Pentecostal Church, Embakasi West in Nairobi and later Nyeri Central West Archdiocese.

His Deputy, Rigathi Gachagua was conspicuously missing during this event in Nyeri instead he was in Kirinyaga for a church service.

Various leaders from the region led by Governor Mutahi Kahiga were, however, in attendance.

Monday

At State House, he met the Confederation of Africa Football (CAF) President Patrice Motsepe.

Motsepe was in the country to assess the ongoing preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) tournament in 2027.

Kenya will co-host it with Uganda and Tanzania. Ruto said the preparations of the three stadia, renovation of Kasarani and Nyayo and construction of the brand-new Talanta Sports City Stadium, are progressing well.

"We commit that Kasarani and Nyayo will be ready by the end of this year for African Nations Championships 2025, while Talanta Sports City Stadium will be completed by December 2025 for AFCON 2027," he said.

Thereafter, he proceeded to the Kenya School of Government in Lower Kabete where he addressed National Government Administration Officers from Nairobi County.

The meeting was organised ahead of the launch of the Climate WorX on October 1.

The initiative target the youth to do clean up of Nairobi River.Ruto said the government is committed to ensuring that the river becomes a commercial and recreational asset.

The President said restoration of the Nairobi River Basin will boost the city's reputation as the country's capital and the global environmental capital, being the host of the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP).

Wednesday

He met the World Bank Regional Vice-President Victoria Kwakwa, State House Nairobi.

Kwakwa was accompanied by new and outgoing Country Director Qimiao Fan and Keith Hansen respectively, National Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Principal Secretary Chris Kiptoo.

The World Bank, Ruto said, is a trusted ally in Kenya's development agenda.

"Through our partnership, we are discussing access to concessional financing, debt sustainability and scaling up of government social interventions, among other programmes," he said.

On the same day, the head of state held talks with MPs from Nyeri to discuss the development projects in the county.

During the meeting, he assured the leaders that Othaya's Mwai Kibaki Hospital, an annexe of Kenyatta National Hospital, will be gazetted as a parastatal with a board and an independent budget.

"This elevation will ensure the health facility is fully equipped to enable it play its rightful role in the provision of Universal Health Coverage that begins next month," he said.

Ruto would later commission the Junior Starlets as they head to the Dominican Republic for the FIFA U-17 Women's World Cup 2024.

He urged the team to make our country proud, break more barriers and come back home with the trophy.

Thursday

Ahead of the eagerly-awaited launch of the Universal Health Coverage (UHC), Ruto hosted officials from the Ministry of Health, governors and other stakeholders at State House.

He stated that the roll-out will require an all-of-government approach, including the counties, to mobilise Kenyans to understand the benefits of this transformative and inclusive programme.

He also urged all Kenyans to continue registering via *147# or http://sha.go.ke ahead of the roll-out on October 1.

Ruto also presided over the investiture of rank to the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja.

This happened moments after he was sworn in at the Supreme Court in a ceremony witnessed by Chief Justice Martha Koome.

During his address, he reminded the police chiefs that the rule of law is the "bedrock of our democracy"

"We must obey and submit to it for the stability of our country," he said adding that we will continue supporting our security agencies to keep Kenya safe and secure," he said.

"In Kanja, we have a seasoned leader; a disciplined career police officer and a dedicated Kenyan. I have faith in his capability in providing leadership to the National Police Service."