Ruto Pulls Down Bar Built At State House Before His Term

President William Ruto on Thursday, April 20 reportedly pulled down a bar reportedly built at State House before he assumed office on September 13, 2022.

Nairobi lawyer, Donald Kipkorir made the revelations on Friday, April 21 while recalling his in-person visit to State House alongside Attorney General, Justin Muturi to meet the President.

"Yesterday, President William Ruto invited me to State House. I was joined by my friend Attorney General Hon. JB Muturi.

"Then in a One-on-One with him, the President inquired about the health of my mother who has stomach cancer. He also asked about my village Cheptongei," he revealed.

President William Ruto (centre) with city lawyer Donald Kipkorir (left) and Attorney General Justin Muturi (right) at State House, Nairobi, on April 20, 2023. /FACEBOOK.DONALD KIPKORIR

The rare meeting saw President Ruto let Kipkorir know of his vision to transform Kenya's economy, with the famed lawyer giving him pieces of advice in line with the economies of Asian countries such as Singapore, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Taiwan.

"President William Ruto also informed me of his vision to transform the country in line with the Asian Tigers & that he was going to strengthen our bilateral relations with them. I implored him to also emulate Thailand 5.0 Economic Plan," he went on.

In 2021, Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha unveiled the thirteenth national economic and social development plan, which will run from 2023 to 2027.

Kipkorir, during his visit, had taken notice of the absence of the bar when he requested a glass of wine from President Ruto, to which the Head of State revealed that he pulled it down, offering a snack as an alternative.

"We reminisced over our friendship that goes back to 1992. I asked for a glass of wine & he told me he pulled down the bar that was there.

"I was given delicious short ribs without wine! It was a humbling experience meeting the President & repairing our friendship," he added.

President Ruto is a known politician in Kenya familiar with his abstinence from alcohol, a characteristic common among teetotallers who prefer non-alcoholic beverages such as water, juice, coffee, tea, non-alcoholic soft drinks, mocktails, and non-alcoholic beer.