Ruto Opens Up On Photos Showing Him Reducing Weight

President William Ruto on Sunday, May 14 spoke regarding photos of him cutting weight in drastic circumstances since being sworn in on September 13, 2022.

Ruto was speaking during a media engagement, at State House, Nairobi where he was responding to questions from journalists regarding the state of the nation.

Eric Latif of Spice FM sought his response to photos showing his change of weight during the period he has run the country, to which Ruto explained that it was as a result of a new diet and fitness regimen.

“I had an original fitness routine but it ran amok the last one and half years because we went into an election. You know when you go to an election you have a lot of pressure and sometimes you take it out on food,” he explained.

Ruto added that at times he would go into stress-eating during the campaign period as he had no idea when he would eat next.

Owing to his demanding task as the Head of State, Ruto embarked on a change of lifestyle to line himself with the rigours of the job at hand.

“Sometimes you have to overeat while campaigning because you do not know the next time you will get time to eat.

“I am now trying to cut down because I have a huge responsibility as Head of State,” Ruto explained why he had to shed weight.

The President in the interview also explained that the work he and his government have been doing since taking office required several demands to be met, with some officials sacrificing nights to get work done.

“We are trying to bring the economy back on track and my team is working day and night.

“Even when you look at Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, you will also see he has cut weight because he is working through the night,” he quipped.

Ruto's explanation came in the wake of concerns among Kenyans over the Head of State's weight, with some expressing worry about whether the Head of State was overworking or going through depression.

At the same time, Ruto argued that the doubling of fuel tax from 8 per cent to 16 per cent would benefit Kenyans in the long run.

"We are going to increase the VAT by 8 per cent for two reasons number one because having differential rates one at 8 per cent, others at 16 per cent poses an integrity problem, people use it as a loophole to manipulate numbers.

"This 8 per cent that we are adding is going to give us about Ksh50 billion it will begin to deal with the problem of roads across the country," he explained.

He further argued that the country was not subjecting itself to too many taxes and that realistically if it does not pay taxes, Kenya cannot be like the countries we want to be in their shoes and that it would go backwards.

"I want as I collect taxes, as Kenyans contribute their money as taxes, they must be put to good use. They should not be put in projects like the BBI and Azimio. They must be put in tangible projects that make a difference in the lives of people," he went on.

President William Ruto speaking during a Media Engagement, at State House, Nairobi on May, 14, 2023. /TWITTER.NAJMA ISMAIL