President William Ruto among other leaders in Kajiado County on June 14, 2026. / PCS President William Ruto has 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.
Speaking on Sunday at Nkarusha Seventh Day Adventist Church in Kajiado County, 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.
“God has been faithful, and His favour is upon us because we are making development progress,” he added.
He addressed criticism over his busy schedule following his recent trip to Europe, saying he had deliberately chosen to remain fully engaged in government business upon his return.
“Some people are questioning why I left Europe just the other day and proceeded to hold meetings and do other things. I made a decision that that is the work that I am going to do,” he said.
Ruto said he actively sought the presidency because he believed God had a purpose for him at this point in the country's history.
“I looked for this presidency myself because I have faith that God has a purpose in me to be the President at this time,” he said.
The President maintained that his mission is to work tirelessly to move Kenya forward and create a country that citizens can be proud of.
“I intend to achieve and ensure that I have worked hard to move our country forward. There are people who are not working hard despite the opportunities they have. Maybe it is because they do not work hard,” he said.
“I believe God has a purpose in me at a time like this. That is why I must go the extra mile and do my best to ensure Kenya becomes a country we can all be proud of.”
