President William Ruto initiated a series of State House protocol changes since assuming office on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.
The changes were detailed in a column published by journalist James Smart on Daily Nation dated January 9.
Ruto appeared to have taken a more relaxed approach than that employed by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta while at State House.
“Under Uhuru Kenyatta, State House was a scary place to visit as you were met at the gate by a battalion of mean-looking police officers,” Smart detailed.
In contrast, there are now just three or four officers assigned to document and clear visitors looking to access the House on a Hill according to the journalist.
“After a rough frisking by the mean officers, journalists had their phones confiscated before they could be permitted to enter the premises,” he recounted challenges faced under the former administration.
When Ruto invited media stations for an interview on January 4, Smart revealed that there was no enthusiasm from journalists toward the event.
“Considering how we had been treated in the past, we can be forgiven for not being enthusiastic towards the interview,” he confessed.
However, the journalists attending the Wednesday, January 4, interview were shocked by the friendly way in which they were treated and ushered to the interview room with no one confiscating their phones.
Another change that the President made was by being a stickler for time.
“The former administration had invented what was informally referred to as the Standard State House Time (SST).
“SST exemplified State House’s total disregard of punctuality where a media briefing slated for noon could start as late as 7 pm,” the Nation Media journalist revealed.
In contrast, Ruto appears to stick to time with Smart noting that the President was ready at 4 pm for an interview that was slated to start at 7 pm.
Lastly, the current president changed the State House in terms of hospitality according to Smart.
“In the past, we could be ushered into a tent and wait for hours before an event could kick off.
“Currently, not only does the President arrive early but he also offers us refreshments and in some cases dinner,” excited Smart wrote.
