President William Ruto has reacted to a People Daily report dated Wednesday, September 3, 2025, highlighting the extensive flow of visitors to the State House and the associated operational costs.

The report indicated that the presidency spent an average of Ksh2 million per day on printing services, mainly for invitation cards for guests.

State House, historically a restricted space reserved for select officials and dignitaries, has, under Ruto, become more accessible to the public. Youth groups, women’s associations, church leaders, elders, and grassroots delegations now visit the presidency almost daily, reflecting the government’s commitment to a participatory and inclusive approach to governance.

The openness marks a significant shift from previous administrations, which maintained a highly controlled environment where access to the presidency was limited and symbolic. This change aligns with Ruto’s broader “bottom-up” strategy, aimed at bringing leadership closer to citizens and enhancing public engagement with state affairs.

Critics have questioned the costs and the political optics of hosting frequent delegations, highlighting the contrast between expenditure on administrative services and pressing national priorities such as education and healthcare. Nonetheless, the President has emphasised the importance of these interactions as part of a visible, people-centred governance model, designed to strengthen trust and accountability between leadership and the public.

By opening the State House to a wider array of visitors, Ruto seeks to demonstrate that the presidency is not just a seat of power but also a platform for citizen engagement. This approach is intended to institutionalise direct communication with communities and ensure that ordinary Kenyans feel included in governance processes.

As debate continues around operational expenses, the administration maintains that the accessibility of the State House represents a deliberate policy to promote transparency, civic participation, and inclusivity, keeping the presidency in touch with the realities and aspirations of the people it serves. Here is the link to the story: https://epaper.peopledaily.digital/html5/reader/production/default.aspx?pubname=&pubid=2d11dca3-13c2-4add-9dc1-cee781ba2925