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President William Ruto has once again defended his trips to foreign nations, saying they were beneficial to the country.

He said yesterday the only way to negotiate with development partners was to visit them and not wait for them to come to Kenya.

The Head of State said the country had reaped immensely from the trips and cited alleged offer of over 500,000 jobs in the Diaspora.

“Wahenga walisema asiyekuwepo na lake halipo (the wise said there is nothing for one who is not present). Thus, how do you expect me to get these opportunities if I can not go out there to look for them?” Ruto posed. “So you expect me to loiter around here in the villages and secure jobs and other opportunities for the youth?” he posed.

President Ruto chided the opposition over their criticism towards his foreign trips and affordable housing projects saying they were transforming lives of many Kenyans.

He admitted that Kenyans were suffering at the moment because of the high cost of living but added that he had laid down measures to remedy the situation.“I hear the opposition criticising my trips to foreign countries and wonder if they mean well for this country. How do we secure these opportunities if we do not go to them?” he posed.

He said thousands of Kenyans were currently eking out their livelihoods from the housing projects being undertaken across the country reiterating that he inherited empty coffers saying that the only way to develop the country was through taxation and building bridges with other countries.

President Ruto said the courts did not halt the housing projects but mode of funding. “The affordable housing project is central to our development agenda and no one can stop it,” he vowed.

Charm offensive

The Head of State made the remarks at the Kakamega Approved School grounds in Lurambi constituency when he graced an interdenominational prayer service that concluded his four-day tour of the Western region. The trip saw him launch a number of development projects mainly in Kakamega and Bungoma counties. President Ruto engaged in a charm offensive as he sought to woo leaders allied to Azimio.

His tours took him to mainly opposition strongholds that include Ikolomani, Lurambi, Khwisero, Lugari and Likuyani constituencies which are represented by MPs allied to the Azimio coalition.

Local leaders from across the political divide accompanied the President during which they vouched for development in their respective constituencies.

“I am happy to report that the President has reassured me that the Airstrip-Shinyalu-Chepsonoi Road will be tarmacked, a training institute put up in Isukha East Ward while more constituents will be connected to the national grid,” said Shinyalu MP Fred Ikana.

His Khwisero counterpart Christopher Aseka, who hosted the President on Saturday, echoed the sentiments saying they were determined to work with the national government for the benefit of their respective constituents.