Listen to This Article Enhance your reading experience by listening to this article.

President William Ruto held a church service at State House on Sunday, September 25, 2022.

The service was the first of a kind since the former Deputy President moved into the residence after his inauguration as president on Tuesday, September 13, 2022.

Bishop Mark Kariuki presided over the service hosted moments after Ruto returned from New York where he attended the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

Among those who graced the service were his Deputy Rigathi Gachagua, his wife First Lady Rachel Ruto and other leaders allied to the Kenya Kwanza alliance.

Ruto returned to the country over the weekend after his first official visit to the United Kingdom (UK) and the United States of America (US).

The head of state had visited the UK to attend the burial ceremony of departed monarch Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey.

He was among 500 foreign dignitaries expected at the event.

Ruto later travelled to the US where he met US President Joe Biden and other officials from the American chamber on Wednesday, September 21, 2022.

International partnerships

During his visit, he noted that Kenya would continue expanding its strategic partnership with the US. He also gave his debut address to the United Nations and held bilateral talks with several Heads of State and governments.

“Kenya will continue expanding its strategic partnership with the United States of America to advance peace and prosperity in Africa,” he stated.

The head of state also made a strong case for debt relief from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank in his maiden speech to the United Nations.

He said debt relief and rescheduling would give developing countries like Kenya the fiscal space they need to escape the challenging economic environment caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I urge the G20 to extend and expand the scope of the common framework to suspend or reschedule debt repayments by middle-income countries during the pandemic recovery period,” Ruto appealed.

He was accompanied by leaders including Kenya Kwanza Alliance’s foreign policy adviser Ababu Namwamba, economist David Ndii, PS Susan Mochache (Health) and PS Dr Julius Jwan (Education) and legislators; Ndindi Nyoro (Kiharu), Aden Duale (Garissa) and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.