President William Ruto is currently hosting the highly anticipated X Space with Kenyans, yet communication hiccups have marred the event. Originally scheduled for 2:00 PM, the start was delayed until 2:20 PM, with further delays in setting up by the State House team prolonging the wait.
Among the prominent figures participating in the X Space are Cabinet Secretaries Kipchumba Murkomen, Ababu Namwamba, and Florence Bore, alongside Governor Susan Kihika and Majority Leader Aaron Cheruiyot. The Ministry of Health has also joined the discussion.
Here is the link to the ongoing space; https://x.com/Osama_otero/status/1809195562887000173.
Stay tuned as we provide live updates from the Space.
Listen to the X Space here.
5:30pm - Ruto Closes X Space With a Prayer
President Ruto finished the X-Space with a word of prayer.
After being hosted by Osama, Ruto returned to his X (William Ruto) and live-streamed a short thank you message to Kenyans who joined the space and engaged him.
He stated that he understood that he needed to venture more on X and he promised more meetings of a similar nature.
I Have Asked Nyamu to Change What She is Doing
President Ruto expressed his frustration over government officials flaunting their wealth online or speaking out of turn in public.
He specifically mentioned nominated Senator Karen Nyamu, stating that he has personally advised her to change her behaviour.
“I have had to sit her down and told her, 'Look, you need to do things differently,'” Ruto said.
In an exclusive interview with Kenyans.co.ke on Sunday, June 30, Ruto declared his intention to crack down on corruption within the Kenya Kwanza government.
Ruto Calls for Jail Time in Uasin Gishu Finland Scholarship Scandal
President Ruto has expressed his desire to see those involved in the Finland Scholarship scandal jailed.
Responding to a query about actions against the alleged perpetrators, Ruto stated, "I wish I could go to court to ask the court to jail these people."
Former Uasin Gishu Governor Jackson Mandago, a close ally of President Ruto, along with two former county officials, has already been charged with embezzling Ksh1.1 billion in the scandal.
This week, a county government official stunned a Nakuru court by admitting to receiving substantial payments for accompanying the former governor abroad in 2021.
The witness revealed he was paid KSh700,000 as per diem for trips to Finland and Canada to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with three universities for an overseas education programme for students in the county.
Ruto Dispels Claims of Dishonesty
Ruto has firmly rejected accusations of dishonesty, labelling them as mere propaganda. In response to claims that he has consistently lied, Ruto stated that he has fulfilled all his promises.
"People have spread stories about William Ruto not telling the truth. I told people there would be a Hustler Fund, today there is a Hustler Fund," Ruto declared.
He continued, "I committed to reducing fertiliser prices, and today 160,000 real people are working on affordable housing."
Ruto also highlighted his administration's achievements, stating, "We have hired 56,000 teachers at one time and resolved the financial challenges facing universities. Most universities were on the verge of closure due to debts."
Kenyans online have been calling him a president of ‘Tumetenga, Tumepanga and Tutafanya.’
Ruto Requests Families of Alleged 200 People Killed in Githurai to Step Forward
President Ruto faces scrutiny over his government's refusal to release the true death toll from the anti-finance bill protests over the past three weeks. Refuting claims of over 200 deaths on Tuesday, June 18, in Githurai 44, Ruto asserted the government's figures are accurate.
He challenged Kenyans, "Can the family members of these 200 people come forward and say they lost loved ones? 200 people who went to protest and did not come back?"
Ruto insisted, "I will never say anything that is not factual about people losing lives." He urged families to bring the names of those allegedly killed to State House Nairobi tomorrow, Saturday, July 6.
Interior CS Kithiure Kindiki reported that 25 people died during the protests, with nearly 400 injured, including 43 police officers. However, the Kenya Human Rights Commission (KHRC) claims 43 deaths and over 600 injuries.
"I've heard other figures, including those quoted, but a supposed massacre in Githurai was proven false. We lost 25 people, many from gunshot wounds, others from blunt objects and beatings. We will account for every death," Kindiki stated.
On Floods, Ruto Agrees He Did't Do Enough
]On the question of support for Kenyans who were rendered homeless due to the floods and the pushing out of those living on riparian land that followed especially in Nairobi, Ruto was quick to point out it was the first time the government issued financial assistance to families affected by floods.
He however admitted he could have done more.
Ruto stated, "I went there in person and committed close to Ksh400 million to attend to those affected by the flooding. Maybe I should have done more."
Ruto Sympathises with Osama's Alleged Abduction
Osama Otero who is hosting President Ruto on the X Space has shared his experience of abduction during the anti-finance bill protests.
Otero narrated how he was taken from his home to an unknown location and interrogated in what he termed as a 'safe house'.
In response, Ruto stated, "I regret your situation."
He added,"After this engagement, I would like, in a secretive way, to send me the details of what happened, I will take action because you don't deserve what you went through."
Human rights groups have placed the number of abductions during the last three weeks at over 30 people including Gabriel Oguda.
"The era of extrajudicial killings is not with us. It is something I will exercise my mind on as the police have a clearly stipulated procedure on how they arrest people," Ruto asserted.
Ruto's Promises on Jobs
President Ruto has continued to defend his track record in creating jobs for the youth arguing that he will continue to improve various sectors, especially tourism.
The president stated that he plans to radically increase Kenya's tourism numbers by five times by the end of his first term in 2027. "I will increase tourism by five times. By 2027. We should be at 10 million tourists."
Ruto Defends Finance Bill 2024
Ruto has asserted that the Finance Bill was a big thing and faced a barrage of many falsehoods and propaganda. According to Ruto, Kenyans online stated that the bill had something about increasing and Rates, which he asserts that there was not a single sentence on Land Rates.
"People were saying there were taxes for people suffering from cancer. We had put Ksh2B for people with Cancer and hypertension under universal healthcare, and not taxes," Ruto stated.
Why Tax Diapers?
The head of state argued that the Finance Bill was intending to raise taxes on diapers imported from outside the country to promote local manufacturing.
"There is no need to import diapers, and pampers, when there are enough factories in Kenya, hiring Kenyans, Building Kenyans, and giving opportunities to Kenyans in the millions," Ruto responded.
3:20pm - Ruto on Firing Cabinet
President Ruto has stated he will not send home his cabinet, which is among the 14 demands that were issued a week ago by Kenyans online.
The president stated, "I will not dissolve Cabinet because I am in the process of looking at things differently."
The president stated that once any Cabinet Secretary is charged in court, he will fire them.
My colleague Timothy Cerello has more.
3:15pm - Ruto Joins Osama Otero's X Space
After technical hitches faced by President William Ruto, he has resolved to be hosted by Osama Otero.
X accounts of State House and President William Ruto have joined the space. The space has over 75,000 people.
However, speakers sound very nervous, while asking their questions.
3:05PM - 15 Minutes of Silence
The Space has been silent for close to 15 minutes now. The President had earlier welcomed people to the Space, but soon, the space went silent.
We are checking with the State House whether the Space has been moved and will share more.
