Ruto insists State House remains open to ordinary Kenyans amid criticism
By Luke Oluoch, September 19, 2025President William Ruto has responded to the ongoing criticism directed at him over the frequent visits of ordinary people to the State House.
Speaking during the launch of the SHA Sponsorship Program at State House in Nairobi, on Friday, September 19, 2025, the president took both a conciliatory tone, while also dismissing those opposed to the visits as being discriminatory
He assured the delegation that they have the right to be at the residence, which he referred to as the residence of the people.
“I welcome you all. You have the right to come here since this is a residence for the people of the great republic of Kenya. I reserve the right to decide who earns the honour to come here, and you have given me the license to decide who comes,” he stated.
The president also went biblical in claims he had opened the residence, previously associated with hosting high government delegations and ambassadors to common people.
“I have not lowered the standard of the state house. I have elevated the Kenyan standards. The bible says that God lifts up the weak from the dust and makes them sit with Kings,” he stated.
Wanga on State House visits
His remarks come after Homa Bay Governor stated that he had achieved his bottom-up economic agenda through mingling with the common people.
“When you sit with common people, especially those from the grassroots, it means you have achieved the goal of a bottom-up agenda,” she stated.
The ODM chairperson who has been a proponent of the broad-based government, shielded Ruto from blame over his open hands policy as far as access to the State House is concerned.
She opined that through the approach, Kenyans were increasingly feeling part and parcel of the country’s government while hitting out at the critics of the move.
“I have heard people claiming that people of low means should have unfettered access to the state house. We thank you, Your Excellency, for opening the doors of State House and declaring it a house for all Kenyans. They can now enter and feel like Kenyans too, she stated.