As the year comes to a close, we look into President William Ruto‘s memorable moments since the year began.
Given his position in the country, his movements, his policies, and his utterances, including the off-the-cuff ones, were expected to trigger some debates, and indeed they did.
So what are Ruto’s memorable moments for the year 2023?
Standing ovation
President William Ruto received a standing ovation after addressing the European Parliament on November 21.
The Head of State’s address centred on the EU-Kenya and EU-Africa cooperation, focusing on the transition to green energy and industrialization.
His speech also touched on climate change, challenges in financial reform, and debt distress.
“We must move beyond arrangements that perpetuate cycles of indebtedness and dependence. Our aim should be to bring about real, additional financing that does not merely escalate debt burdens or facilitate the extraction of profits.
“Cooperation that does not lock in developing countries in fossil fuel dependency but allows them to advance alongside the rest of the world in the transition to sustainable energy,” Ruto emphasised.
After finishing his speech, he was applauded and given a standing ovation by the delegates at the conference in the Belgian capital city, Brussels.
Mambo ni Matatu phrase
The Kiswahili phrase became a popular jargon in the streets after President Ruto used it during his development tour of the Western region.
Loosely translated and paraphrased as ‘you only have three options‘, Ruto made the remarks that were understood to be directed to businessmen in the sugar industry in August.
In some circles, it was taken as a threat, and Ruto was also sued by Operation Linda Jamii, who wanted the president to withdraw his statement.
Operation Linda Jamii wanted a formal apology from Ruto, and failing to do that, they wanted an impeachment motion against him started in Parliament.
“Failure of the President/Presidency to issue a public unconditional apology to Kenyans, the Honourable Court be pleased to direct Parliament to commence impeachment proceedings against the President for violating the Constitution,” the organisation said in their September petition at the Milimani Courts.
Ruto’s love for Kaunda suits
This year, President Ruto has appeared on numerous occasions, both formal and informal, in Kaunda suits.
This has had an impact on the fashion industry, with some of his supporters, including high-level members of the Kenya Kwanza government, following suit.
The Kaunda suit, named after Zambia’s former President Kenneth Kaunda, who loved them, is a piece of clothing with a safari jacket and matching trousers. In most cases, it is short-sleeved and worn without a tie.
Although Kaunda is famously associated with this kind of clothing, it was the Chinese supreme leader Mao Zedong who popularized them during his reign.
In international political circles, it has come to be viewed as an Eastern counterpart to the Western business suit. Historically, leaders leaning towards China, especially during the Cold War, were always seen in this attire as compared to Western suits.
Recently, the Speaker of the National Assembly, Moses Wetangula, banned the Members of Parliament from attending the House dressed in Kaunda suits.
Cabinet reshuffle
Ruto’s first cabinet reshuffle came on Wednesday, October 5, just over one year since he took power.
The reshuffle affected eight ministries, and Musalia Mudavadi, who was hitherto dispensing only duties as the Prime Cabinet Secretary, was seen as the big winner.
Mudavadi was appointed as the head of the Foreign Affairs docket and replaced Alfred Mutua, who moved to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife.
The ministries of Water, Public service, Land, Sports, Public works, and the East African Community were affected by the changes.
Moses Kuria was transferred from the Trade ministry to the Public service, and he was replaced in the former by Rebecca Miano, who was in charge of EAC, Arid and Semi-Arid Lands (ASALs), and Regional Development.
Miano’s place was filled by Peninah Malonza, while Alice Wahome was taken to the Ministry of Lands from the Water, Sanitation, and Irrigation Ministry.
The Water Ministry was taken over by Zakaria Njeru, while Aisha Jumwa was moved from the Ministry of Civil Service to the Gender Ministry.
Several Permanent Secretaries were also affected.
