President William Ruto has pushed back against growing calls for him to slow down and take a break, saying his schedule is already filled six months in advance as he drives what he describes as Kenya’s urgent development agenda.
Speaking on Sunday at a church service in Kajiado County, Mr Ruto dismissed suggestions that he needed time off, framing his packed calendar as a reflection of national priorities rather than personal pressure.
“Don’t be worried about me,” he told congregants at Nkarusha Seventh Day Adventist Church. “Some people are saying that I should have gone on holiday. If you want to go on holiday, you can go, it is okay. I have work to do; my diary is full six months ahead.”
The President said Kenya could not afford to lose momentum, arguing that the country had fallen behind economies such as Singapore, Malaysia and South Korea, which he said were once at a similar level of development decades ago.
“But it is because the country needs hard work, we are even late,” he said. “There are countries that were at the same level as us 60 years ago… but now they have left us behind because we have lost focus. We must accelerate our development.”
President Ruto, who has faced criticism over his frequent domestic and foreign engagements, also addressed questions about his recent travel to Europe and his swift return to official duties. He said he had chosen to remain fully engaged in government work.
“Some people are questioning why I left Europe just the other day and proceeded to hold meetings and do other things,” he said. “I made a decision that that is the work that I am going to do.”
He added that he believed his presidency carried a personal and spiritual purpose, saying he had sought the office with conviction.
“I looked for this presidency myself because I have faith that God has a purpose in me to be the President at this time,” he said.
While acknowledging public debate over leadership style and pace of governance, President Ruto maintained that his focus remained on delivering development projects and improving living standards.
“I intend to achieve and ensure that I have worked hard to move our country forward,” he said. “That is why I must go the extra mile and do my best to ensure Kenya becomes a country we can all be proud of.”
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