William Ruto - The African Mirror

Apr

2024

Kenya’s military chief among 10 people killed in helicopter crash

KENYA'S military chief, General Francis Ogolla, was among 10 people killed when their military helicopter crashed shortly after take-off, President William Ruto announced. The aircraft, which had been on a visit to troops deployed in northwest Kenya to combat endemic cattle rustling, came down just minutes after leaving Cheptulel Boys Secondary School in West Pokot County, Ruto said. Two soldiers survived the crash and were in hospital, he said, adding that an air investigation team had been sent to discover the cause. "Our motherland has lost one of her most valiant generals," Ruto told a news conference. "The demise of…

Feb

2024

By CRISPIAN BALMER

Kenyan president says Haiti mission to go ahead despite court ruling

NEWS

KENYA is going to push ahead with plans to lead a U.N.-approved security mission to Haiti, despite a court in Nairobi last week blocking the deployment, Kenyan President William Ruto told Reuters. The international force is aimed at tackling rampant gang violence in the Caribbean nation, which killed nearly 5,000 people last year and is due to be initially financed by the United States. The mission was thrown into doubt after the Kenyan court ruled that it would be unconstitutional to deploy officers abroad unless there was a "reciprocal arrangement" in place with the host government. Ruto said Haiti had asked for…

Dec

2023

By The African Mirror

Kenya to scrap visas for all visitors, president says

NEWS

VISITORS to Kenya from across the world will no longer require a visa from January, President William Ruto said. Ruto said his government had developed a digital platform to ensure all visitors would receive an electronic travel authorisation in advance, instead of needing to apply for a visa. "It shall no longer be necessary for any person from any corner of the globe to carry the burden of applying for a visa to come to Kenya," he said in a speech in the capital Nairobi at an event to mark 60 years of independence from Britain. Ruto has long advocated…

Nov

2023

By HUMPHREY MALALO

Kenyan parliamentary committee call for reforms to electoral body

NEWS

A committee set up by the Kenyan parliament has called for reforms to the country's electoral body and a review of tax policy, public spending and social security, a copy of their report seen by Reuters shows. The bipartisan committee formed to study opposition grievances wants the electoral commission reconstituted and an audit of the last presidential election. Kenya was gripped by violent protests early this year triggered by complaints by opposition leaders and supporters about electoral malpractices, the high cost of living and rising taxes. As a result, the committee was formed in August with the backing of a parliamentary…

Nov

2023

By DUNCAN MIRIRI

Kenya to sell 35 state companies as Africa seeks to jumpstart IPOs

BUSINESS

KENYA'S President William Ruto said the government was poised to privatise 35 state companies after enacting a law last month to guide the process. Kenya last privatised a state-owned company in 2008 with an initial public offering (IPO) for 25% of the shares in telecommunications firm Safaricom. "We have identified the first 35 companies that we are going to offer to the private sector. We have another close to 100 we are working with financial advisers on what to do," Ruto said in remarks at the opening ceremony of the African Stock Exchanges Association's annual meeting in Nairobi. Finance Minister…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

William Ruto’s first year: he promised to make life easier for Kenyans, but things got worse

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

IT'S more than a year since President William Ruto was sworn into office as Kenya’s fifth president. He assumed power at a time when Kenya was beset by rising food and fuel prices, high unemployment and a worrying debt burden. During the election campaign, Ruto promised to fix an economy afflicted by corruption and ineptitude. He promised to entrench good governance and place the poor at the centre of economic policy. He pledged to address ethnicised politics and to uphold constitutionalism and the rule of law. WESTEN K SHILAHO, Senior Research Fellow, Institute for PanAfrican Thought and Conversation (IPATC), University…

Nov

2023

By DUNCAN MIRIRI

Kenya president urges progress on global treaty against plastic pollution

NEWS

NEGOTIATORS working on the world's first treaty to curb plastic pollution need to hurry up and strike a deal, Kenyan President William Ruto said at the start of talks in Nairobi. The world produces about 400 million metric tonnes of plastic waste annually and less than 10% of it is recycled, according to the U.N. Environment Programme. At least 14 million metric tonnes end up in the ocean every year, the International Union for Conservation of Nature says, while more piles up in landfills. International delegates meeting in the Kenyan capital Nairobi for the third round of talks will consider a list…

Nov

2023

By The African Mirror

Visa-free travel for Africans: why Kenya and Rwanda have taken a step in the right direction

THOUGHT LEADERSHIP

PRESIDENT William Ruto of Kenya recently announced that Kenya’s borders would be open to visitors from the entirety of Africa, with no visas required, by the end of 2023. He said When people cannot travel, business people cannot travel, entrepreneurs cannot travel, we all become net losers. ALAN HIRSCH, Research Fellow New South Institute, Emeritus Professor at The Nelson Mandela School of Public Governance, University of Cape Town A few days later, President Paul Kagame of Rwanda followed suit, saying all Africans would be able to enter Rwanda without visas. Neither Kenya nor Rwanda will be the first. By the…

Nov

2023

By SETH ONYANGO, BIRD STORY AGENCY

Kenya greenlights visits from all Africans in push for unhindered continental travel

NEWS

BARRIER-FREE travel in Africa has received fresh impetus after Kenya vowed to abolish visa requirements for all Africans by 2023. President William Ruto, championing the African Continental Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA), asserted that visa barriers hold Africans back. “By the end of this year, no African will be required to have a visa to come to Kenya,” he said. Kenya, a part of the East African Community (EAC), has already implemented a common market protocol that allows free movement of goods, services, capital and people among EAC members. By extending visa-free access to all African countries, Kenya hopes to…

Oct

2023

By The African Mirror

Kenya President reshuffles cabinet, swaps foreign affairs minister

NEWS

KENYA'S President William Ruto reshuffled eight members of his cabinet and folded the foreign affairs ministry into the office of the chief minister. The changes were necessary, Ruto said, to "optimise performance and enhance delivery as set out in the administration's manifesto". Ruto has faced a series of nationwide protests over the high cost of living and tax hikes since he took power in August 2022. Foreign Minister Alfred Mutua was transferred to the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, while Trade Minister Moses Kiarie Kuria was moved to the Ministry of Public Service. The foreign ministry was brought under the…