President Ruto stayed mostly at the State House last week after touring Nairobi. His biggest event happened Tuesday when he welcomed King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima from the Netherlands. The royal pair landed Monday night, and Ruto met the next morning. Here's what filled his calendar each day.
Monday saw him honor African Development Bank President Adesina Akinwumi with the First Class Chief of the Order of Golden Heart award. Ruto praised the bank for helping Kenya access electricity, improve food security, build infrastructure, and connect with other African nations. He thanked Akinwumi for helping Kenya and Africa reach their potential and improve lives.
Later Monday, Ruto accepted the final report from the National Police Service Commission led by Eliud Kinuthia as their term ended. The president talked about major changes happening to create a better-motivated, well-equipped police force. He mentioned these efforts already improved hiring, improved career paths, fixed discipline issues, and boosted officer benefits.
Tuesday brought the main event: President Ruto and First Lady Rachel hosted the Dutch royals during their four-day visit. Ruto called the Netherlands a major European trading partner, development ally, and key helper in changing Kenya's economy. He values their friendship and wants stronger ties, more business chances, and lasting teamwork that benefits both countries.
The meetings led to three agreements and a letter showing plans to work together on farming, trade, manufacturing, tourism, climate action, security, and people connections. Ruto said these deals will bring Dutch money into Kenya, transform agriculture and industry, and create jobs for young people. Earlier Tuesday, he signed a budget bill giving education extra money.
The bill provides $18 billion to the Teachers Service Commission for insurance gaps, teacher promotions, and salaries. Universities received $16 billion, technical schools got $8 billion, and school meal programs earned $600 million. Health reforms gained funding with $1.5 billion for medical supplies, $3 billion for basic care, $3 billion for emergency treatment, and $1.5 billion for healthcare interns.
Other funded areas included cheaper fertilizer at $6.6 billion, county business parks at $1.2 billion, and help for areas needing extra support at $3.7 billion. Programs for homeless families received $370 million, Thwake Dam got $1 billion, and a dairy company earned $700 million to buy excess milk. That evening, Ruto threw a dinner party for the visiting king and queen.
On Wednesday, Ruto met with Homa Bay County leaders, including Governor Gladys Wanga. They discussed county projects and preparations for upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations. The president emphasized how national growth requires everyone to work together, combining the skills, talents, knowledge, and energy of all Kenyans to change the country across all economic areas.
Ruto also granted Riara University its official charter that day. At State House, he welcomed King Letsie III from Lesotho. Both leaders confirmed their friendly relationship and planned ways to strengthen it. They told their foreign ministers to set up meetings to find new partnership areas between their nations.
They shared success stories about school meal programs in both countries. Both presidents liked how these programs helped students attend class more often, learn better, and stay healthier. Thursday found Ruto at Nairobi City Hall starting the 2025 WRC Safari Rally. He announced plans to use car racing excitement to grow tourism.
This strategy aims to attract more visitors, create jobs, and boost business growth. Later Thursday, Ruto met World Bank Vice-President Victoria Kwakwa and Country Director Qiamiao Fan. He called the World Bank a reliable money partner for Kenya for over 50 years and praised their support in helping Kenya become wealthier by 2030 by reducing poverty.
The government welcomes the news that the World Bank and International Finance Corporation regional leaders for Eastern and Southern Africa will base themselves in Nairobi. Ruto noted that this makes their capital city a regional hub with 870 bank staff members. He then talked with leaders from the Mt Kenya region about progress in coffee, tea, and dairy farming.
They discussed new roads, affordable housing, and fresh produce markets. Deputy President Kindiki joined this meeting before Ruto plans to visit that area soon. Last came a meeting with Saudi Arabia Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al Khuraiji. Kenya and Saudi Arabia share strong diplomatic, business, and personal connections. Ruto mentioned their friendship grew stronger when Kenya opened an office in Jeddah, making travel easier for business people and religious travelers.
Monday saw him honor African Development Bank President Adesina Akinwumi with the First Class Chief of the Order of Golden Heart award. Ruto praised the bank for helping Kenya access electricity, improve food security, build infrastructure, and connect with other African nations. He thanked Akinwumi for helping Kenya and Africa reach their potential and improve lives.
Later Monday, Ruto accepted the final report from the National Police Service Commission led by Eliud Kinuthia as their term ended. The president talked about major changes happening to create a better-motivated, well-equipped police force. He mentioned these efforts already improved hiring, improved career paths, fixed discipline issues, and boosted officer benefits.
Tuesday brought the main event: President Ruto and First Lady Rachel hosted the Dutch royals during their four-day visit. Ruto called the Netherlands a major European trading partner, development ally, and key helper in changing Kenya's economy. He values their friendship and wants stronger ties, more business chances, and lasting teamwork that benefits both countries.
The meetings led to three agreements and a letter showing plans to work together on farming, trade, manufacturing, tourism, climate action, security, and people connections. Ruto said these deals will bring Dutch money into Kenya, transform agriculture and industry, and create jobs for young people. Earlier Tuesday, he signed a budget bill giving education extra money.
The bill provides $18 billion to the Teachers Service Commission for insurance gaps, teacher promotions, and salaries. Universities received $16 billion, technical schools got $8 billion, and school meal programs earned $600 million. Health reforms gained funding with $1.5 billion for medical supplies, $3 billion for basic care, $3 billion for emergency treatment, and $1.5 billion for healthcare interns.
Other funded areas included cheaper fertilizer at $6.6 billion, county business parks at $1.2 billion, and help for areas needing extra support at $3.7 billion. Programs for homeless families received $370 million, Thwake Dam got $1 billion, and a dairy company earned $700 million to buy excess milk. That evening, Ruto threw a dinner party for the visiting king and queen.
On Wednesday, Ruto met with Homa Bay County leaders, including Governor Gladys Wanga. They discussed county projects and preparations for upcoming Madaraka Day celebrations. The president emphasized how national growth requires everyone to work together, combining the skills, talents, knowledge, and energy of all Kenyans to change the country across all economic areas.
Ruto also granted Riara University its official charter that day. At State House, he welcomed King Letsie III from Lesotho. Both leaders confirmed their friendly relationship and planned ways to strengthen it. They told their foreign ministers to set up meetings to find new partnership areas between their nations.
They shared success stories about school meal programs in both countries. Both presidents liked how these programs helped students attend class more often, learn better, and stay healthier. Thursday found Ruto at Nairobi City Hall starting the 2025 WRC Safari Rally. He announced plans to use car racing excitement to grow tourism.
This strategy aims to attract more visitors, create jobs, and boost business growth. Later Thursday, Ruto met World Bank Vice-President Victoria Kwakwa and Country Director Qiamiao Fan. He called the World Bank a reliable money partner for Kenya for over 50 years and praised their support in helping Kenya become wealthier by 2030 by reducing poverty.
The government welcomes the news that the World Bank and International Finance Corporation regional leaders for Eastern and Southern Africa will base themselves in Nairobi. Ruto noted that this makes their capital city a regional hub with 870 bank staff members. He then talked with leaders from the Mt Kenya region about progress in coffee, tea, and dairy farming.
They discussed new roads, affordable housing, and fresh produce markets. Deputy President Kindiki joined this meeting before Ruto plans to visit that area soon. Last came a meeting with Saudi Arabia Deputy Foreign Minister Waleed Al Khuraiji. Kenya and Saudi Arabia share strong diplomatic, business, and personal connections. Ruto mentioned their friendship grew stronger when Kenya opened an office in Jeddah, making travel easier for business people and religious travelers.
