Ruto Dismisses Criticism Over His 45 Trips To 38 Countries & Counting [VIDEO]
Many Kenyans have been questioning the increasing frequency of his globetrotting expeditions, especially on the benefits the trips are expected to bring to the tax-paying Kenyan
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President William Ruto has brushed off criticism from members of the press, political factions and the general public regarding the swelling number of foreign trips he has taken in slightly over a year since assuming office on September 13, 2022.
Speaking during a church service at the ACK Diocese of Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County on Sunday, October 29, the Head of State stood firm on his travel record which has seen him so far make 45 trips to 38 different countries, the most recent being his low-key trip to Congo Brazzaville for the Three Basins climate change conference.
Many Kenyans have been questioning the increasing frequency of his globetrotting expeditions, especially on the benefits the trips are expected to bring to the tax-paying Kenyan, but Ruto stood defiant by reiterating that they are for the purpose of creating jobs.
For instance, during the service, he disclosed that during his visit to Saudi Arabia, he held talks with stakeholders aimed at finalising a deal in three weeks' time that would see 350,000 Kenyans sent to the Middle-Eastern country for jobs.
"Last week, I was in Saudi Arabia and they told me they are looking for 350,000 people to work there. They told me that Kenyans are the most hardworking. I will return (to Saudi) in another three weeks to sign a bilateral labour agreement," he explained.
"Some people were questioning why I keep travelling out. I am Kenya's chief agent tasked with planning how Kenya will move forward. The minute I leave Kenya to look for jobs, even for two days, there is noise."
The Head of State hinted that the 350,000 jobs he is seeking in Saudi Arabia were part of a grand plan to create 2.1 million jobs he has negotiated for Kenyans in recent months.
To prove this, he shared details of his visit to the United States where he revealed that the country was ready to absorb 250,000 Kenyans into its workforce, a deal he also agreed with countries such as Germany and Canada.
"Germany, its President was here and told us that they have slots for 250,000 youth. In Canada, I sat down with their team and they assured me they have similar vacancies. The US has similar vacancies," he added.
"We want to unveil nearly 1 million jobs for the youth because creating jobs must be deliberate. We are setting up Affordable Housing to create jobs."
On Friday, October 27, Ruto ordered the Treasury to reduce the travel budget of all government institutions to the tune of Ksh11 billion. He also denounced media reports that he reduced the budget by Ksh500 million.
"I saw that the media saying I reduced the budget by Ksh500 million. No, it is not Ksh500 million, but I have reduced by Ksh11 billion for those going on those trips," he stated while at a development tour in Voi, Taita Taveta County.
Critics of the Kenya Kwanza government had argued that Ruto's statement on Friday and subsequent visit to Congo was counter-productive, arguing that the trip contradicted his move to cut Ksh11 billion spending on travel amongst cabinet secretaries.
Meanwhile, despite his numerous global expeditions, Ruto announced plans to make Kenya self-regulate and cut down on relying on an influx of foreign imports by declaring that the country will not import maize from 2025.
''We don’t want to import maize ever again. Next year will be the last year that we will be importing maize. From 2025, we won’t import even a single sack of maize. All the bags will be produced in Kenya,'' stated Ruto.
