Ruto's Diary: How Ruto, Kindiki blended leadership in first week

This week President William Ruto gradually returned to his usual busy schedule following the swearing-in of the new Deputy Kithure Kindiki.

Kindiki was sworn in on November 1, at a ceremony held at KICC. Ruto has been without a substantive principal assistant for almost a month after Rigathi Gachagua was impeached by parliament.

A day after the event, Ruto and Kindiki were at State House for a consultative meeting with the Kenya Union of Post Primary Education (KUPPET) national officials. They were led by national chairman Omboko Milemba.

“Our routine dialogue and exchange of views with education stakeholders are aimed at improving the welfare of teachers and the quality of learning for our children,” Ruto said in a statement after the meeting.

Sunday

The duo alongside other political leaders, joined worshippers of the African Divine Church for a church service to mark 73 years of its existence in Nairobi. In his address, he reassured religious organisations that the government would not interfere with their running.

“As a government, we acknowledge the work of the church and we respect the place of worship. I want to assure that the place of worship will not be undermined,” he stated.

Ruto said his administration will work closely with churches and other religious organisations in serving Kenyans.

“We are going to partner with the church in all areas of our development programmes. We also want to thank you for the contribution in education and health sectors,” he added.

Monday

He joined Chief Justice Martha Koome and other members of the Judiciary during an event to commemorate 12 years since the establishment of the Supreme Court.

It was held at the Supreme Court Building in Nairobi. While addressing the participants, the head of state commended the Supreme Court for being a firm and faithful custodian of our Constitution, a defender of human rights, a pillar of democracy, and a champion of justice for all.

“As the Court journeys through its jurisprudential mandate, we invite it to renew its vigour in shaping our constitutional landscape. It must stay agile, forward-thinking, innovative, and accountable to meeting the ever-evolving and complex challenges of our time,” he said.

At State House on the same day, Ruto held talks with Li Xi, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau and Secretary of the Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, Communist Party of the People’s Republic of China.

He welcomed Chinese investment in critical sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, and digital infrastructure to boost our transformation agenda. Ruto also underscored the strong diplomatic ties with China, built on mutual respect, strategic collaboration, and shared goals for economic development and regional stability.

“This partnership is marked by joint initiatives under the Belt and Road Initiative, focusing on infrastructure, trade, and technology projects that support Kenya's vision for growth and modernisation,” he stated.

He later received the credentials of Monica Achol Aguek Ayol, the newly-appointed Ambassador of South Sudan to Kenya.

Tuesday

At State House, he presided over a ceremony for the award of charters to the Islamic University of Kenya (IKU) and National Intelligence and Research University (NIRU).

NIRU was a constituent college of the National Defence University (NDU-K) under the military before it was split. Located in Nairobi, the institution was established in 2021 and has been offering intelligence-related courses and research on complex security threats. IKU, on its part is situated in Kajiado.

The entry of the two institutions brings the number of chartered universities to 66 in the country.

“We are broadening the provision of university learning in the recognition that quality, accessible, affordable and relevant education is the engine of our country’s development,” said Ruto.

On the same day, he met opposition parties' representatives to the Tumaini Initiative as a follow-up to his engagement with the government delegation from South Sudan on finding a solution to the perennial conflict in the country.

“They confirmed their readiness to sign the Tumaini Consensus, the product of sustained inclusive negotiations. I will be meeting President Salva Kiir Mayardit in an engagement that leads us towards the final signature and implementation of the Tumaini Initiative,” he stated.

He wrapped the day with a meeting with Standard Chartered Bank PLC Group Chairman Jose Vinals, who is Nairobi for the bank's board meeting. Kenya, he said, invites the private sector to invest in government programmes through public-private partnerships.

“In this arrangement, the government will implement crucial projects that will transform the country, while the private sector will benefit and impact national development,” he said.

Wednesday

He jetted off to Juba, South Sudan for talks with President Salva Kiir over the peace process called the Tumaini Initiative. Ruto expressed his happiness that the gaps between the government and opposition can be bridged, consequently paving the way for a new era of sustainable peace and prosperity.

“We agreed to involve the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in the process to engage the entire region and secure support from the international community for political goodwill, both regionally and globally,” he said in a statement.

Thursday

Ruto was in Ethiopia for the “World Without Hunger Conference” While addressing the leaders attending the meeting, he called for global collaboration to effectively fight hunger and also implement policies and programmes to boost food production to feed the rising populations.

He said governments, international organisations, the private sector and other partners should work together in ensure farmers have the necessary inputs, irrigation systems and the infrastructure to prevent post-harvest losses, among others.

The President also used the opportunity to emphasise the importance of reforms in the institutions of the African Union to make it more accountable, efficient, and effective in serving Member States and, indeed, the people of the continent.

He said it is imperative that Africa becomes organised and builds the necessary synergy to tackle the challenges that face the continent.

“To achieve this crucial objective, the reform agenda of the African Union institutions must be thorough and consultative,” he observed.

Former Prime Minister Raila Odinga was also part of the attendees in the meeting. At the sidelines of the meeting, Ruto used the opportunity to lobby for Raila’s election as the Africa Union Commission's (AUC) chairperson. He also met United Nations Industrialisation Development Organisation (UNIDO) Director-General Gerd Muller.

UNIDO and Kenya are set to conclude discussions on a country programme to support the establishment of industrial parks in Kenya.

Upon arrival in the country, he had time to inspect the ongoing construction of Talanta Stadium. Its construction, he said, is progressing well and will be completed and ready in time to host AFCON matches in 2027. He said he was impressed with the work done so far.