Power Blackout Interrupts Ruto's Speech [VIDEO]

President William Ruto's speech during the Second National Executive Retreat, Naivasha, Nakuru County was temporarily cut short by a power blackout.

The Head of State was addressing Cabinet Secretaries (CS) and Principal Secretaries (PS) among other government officials in attendance when the sudden blackout disconnected his microphone on the dais, interrupting his address.

Ruto stood still as the room fell silent for a few seconds before backup generators kicked in, which restored power to his microphone, allowing him to continue his address before power to the giant LED screens followed suit.

"Are we there? Okay..." Ruto said as he tested his microphone.

Here is the video:

The lights in the room as well as the screen went off again but were restored faster than initially as Ruto's microphone remained activated as he kept addressing the audience.

Ruto was speaking during the closing of the second National Executive Retreat in Naivasha whereby he called on the leaders to coordinate with each other.

"We must continuously coordinate. We must continuously synergize so that we can have an all-encompassing delivery. We cannot succeed if some of us are failing," he said.

"Our success is going to be the collective success of every one of us. Do not allow your colleague to fail, do not undermine your colleague because if your colleague fails it is your failure. Let us find ways to encourage, look out and support one another."

According to the Head of State, by now all the leaders have settled into their various roles. He went ahead to advise that should anyone be threatened or coerced by individuals purporting to be his cronies or relatives, they should not hesitate to reach him via his mobile line.  

“Each and every one of you has my telephone number and it’s only one, I don’t have two. And I believe every Principal Secretary and every Cabinet Secretary has my number,” he said.

“If I want anything from any of you, I will call you myself and I can confirm to you it will not be about any transaction, it will be about your performance.”

The President told the members of his Cabinet that more often than not, integrity issues in ministries have arisen from CSs and PSs being persuaded by people claiming to be close to power to do wrong things.

“On occasions, I have called ministers and Principal Secretaries to warn them whenever I have intelligence that wrong things are about to happen in your state departments,” he said.

"We must deal with the subject of integrity. I must repeat that there is no room or space or opportunity for this administration not to deal with corruption firmly, decisively, and conclusively."

Ruto advised the Cabinet members to always seek guidance from him, the Deputy President, the Prime Cabinet Secretary or the Head of Public Service whenever they are unsure about certain decisions.

The President said Kenyans have high expectations of the Executive courtesy of his track record and anything short of that will be detrimental to the government.

President William Ruto addressing the media alongside DP Rigathi Gachagua and Treasury CS, Njuguna Ndung'u in Naivasha, Nakuru County on February 21, 2024. /PCS