President William Ruto has defended his numerous trips out of the country since he assumed office.
While speaking during a church service in Uasin Gishu on Sunday, Ruto said it was through the trips that he has been able to secure several deals in favour of the country.
He for instance noted that his recent visit to Saudi Arabia saw him secure employment slots for 350,000 Kenyans with the bilateral agreement expected to be signed in the next three weeks.
Ruto disclosed he would be travelling back for the signing of the agreement in the next three weeks. He said Kenyan workers had an upper hand in securing jobs in foreign countries.
He termed himself as Kenya’s chief agent and ambassador noting that the development of the country can only be achieved through planning.
“Nilikuwa wiki iliyopita pale Saudi, tumekubaliana na wao wanahitaji watu elfu mia tatu na hamsini kufanya kazi huko kwao….Tunasign bilateral labour agreement hivi karibuni, nitarudi huko in another three weeks,” Ruto said.
“Kuna watu wengine wananipigia makelele mbona umeenda safari hii, hiyo ndio kazi yangu ya Rais, mimi ndio chief agent ya Kenya, mimi ndio ambassador ya Kenya ya kupanga vile Kenya itasonga mbele,” he said.
The President added: “Si mumeskia askofu hapa akisema amekuja hapa Uasin Gishu amekaa karibu wiki moja, alikuwa Nandi amekaa wiki moja, alikuwa huko Mbeere alikaa sijui siku ngapi, mimi nikienda tu kwenda kutafuta ajira ya Wakenya siku mbili, kelele.”
This is loosely translated to mean; “I was in Saudi a week ago and they told me they need 350,000 people to go and work there, we will sign the bilateral labour agreement soon so I will be going back there in three weeks.
“There are some people who are making noise asking why I am going for the trips, that is my work as the President. I am Kenya’s chief agent and ambassador to plan how the country will move forward. Even the bishop has said he was in Nandi for a week and Mbeere for some days but when I just go for two days to secure jobs for Kenyans there is noise.”
Several Kenyans have critisised the president's numerous foreign trips ever since he took over the leadership mantle.
Just this weekend, Ruto was in Congo to attend the Three Basins Climate Change Summit.
This was President's Ruto 39th trip since he assumed office last year in September.
Early this week, the Head of State was in Saudi Arabia for the 7th edition of the Future Investment Initiative (FII) Summit.
For instance, Vihiga Senator Godfrey Osotsi criticised Ruto's visits to different countries given the country's economic challenges and high cost of living.
He suggested that it would be more appropriate if Ruto only traveled for critical issues, with most other matters handled by the Cabinet Secretaries responsible for foreign affairs or the Minister of Trade.
He said the president travels with a large team of people, involving a lot of logistics.
"As the value of the dollar has now reached Sh150, I believe it is insensitive for a leader in charge of a country facing economic challenges to continue traveling," he opined.
Eldas Member of Parliament Adan Keynan has however defended Ruto's trips saying he is the country’s chief diplomat.
Speaking on Thursday during the Citizen daybreak show, the lawmaker said whatever the president is doing is in the best interest of Kenyans.
He said all his visits and trips abroad are for economic gains.