William Ruto: The World's First Tourist-President and Premier Vacationer-in-Chief

In a striking display of jet-setting prowess, President William Ruto has transformed the presidential office into a veritable travel agency.

His frequent flyers must stack up like souvenirs from a world tour. This leader of Kenya appears to believe his presidential duties include sampling the world’s finest cuisines, marveling at diverse landscapes, and partaking in grand state banquets.

A Flying President’s Itinerary
Take his latest escapades, for example. Fresh from a whirlwind four-day trip to South Korea, and barely having caught his breath after an elaborate state visit to the United States, Ruto is already packing his bags for Italy’s G7 Summit on Friday.

One wonders if he remembers what Nairobi looks like anymore. Perhaps the sight of Mount Kenya has become a distant memory, obscured by the Alps, the Himalayas, and the Rockies. Explains why he's no longer taking the region that claims to have put him in State House seriously.

The Art of the Quick Pit Stop
Ruto's fleeting visits to Kenya are nothing short of a comical respite. One could almost hear the exasperated sighs of his cabinet secretaries as he breezes into the country, barks orders, signs decrees, and checks in on the nation's progress in between flights.

Picture the scene: Ruto, in a blur of activity, quickly visiting his office just to remind everyone he won the election fair and square, before jetting off again to the next exotic destination. It’s as if Kenya is the pit stop and the world is his racetrack.

The World is Big and Someone Has to See It!

Ruto's defense for his globetrotting is almost poetic. "We are a great nation and going places," he declares, possibly with a twinkle in his eye. So, he goes to those places on our behalf. And while he goes places, the common Kenyan remains rooted, tethered by the reality of daily struggles, a majority of which are rooted in his administration's failures. Now we know why: William Ruto is never in the country long enough to see anything through!

It seems the President has taken it upon himself to personally inspect the world, lest it goes unnoticed. His mission: to ensure that every corner of the globe gets a glimpse of his presence. After all, the world is a vast place, and it won’t see itself. Someone has to do it.

The Frequent Flyer President

In 2022, Ruto embarked on nine international trips, starting with a ceremonial visit to the UK for Queen Elizabeth II's state burial just five days post-inauguration.

The highlight of that trip, if you'll recall, was the famous humiliating school bus ride. But that did little to dampen his spirit. (Remember also that Dr William Kipchirchir Samoei Arap Ruto, PhD, CGH, took the Oath of Office on Tuesday September 13 2022, at 12.44 pm precisely, and a typical year ends on December 31; ergo a trip abroad every 12 days of the first 3.61 months of his presidency...a feat that would turn even the indefatigable Babis Bizas green with envy.)

Since then, William Ruto has been a non-stop cavalcade of international appearances. The President’s itinerary reads like a bucket list for the most ardent of travellers. From the bustling streets of New York for the UN General Assembly to the serene landscapes of Tanzania and Uganda, Ruto’s passport must be an impressive scrapbook of visa stamps.

By 2023, Ruto had notched up 35 trips. His wanderlust saw him attend the Belt and Road Forum in China, the Saudi-Africa Summit in Saudi Arabia, and an official visit to India.

He has hobnobbed in European capitals such as Paris, Brussels, and Berlin, all in the name of diplomatic relations, of course. In each city, he is greeted with fanfare, attends high-level meetings, and presumably adds a few more exotic dishes to his repertoire.

Defending the Indefensible
When questioned about his incessant travels, Ruto’s retort is straightforward. As the "chief agent and chief ambassador" of Kenya, he claims these trips are vital for seeking opportunities and showcasing Kenya's potential.

However, it’s hard not to imagine that somewhere in his itinerary, between the official meetings and state dinners, there’s time for a bit of sightseeing. After all, who could resist a gondola ride in Venice or a leisurely stroll along the Seine?

An Economy Class for the Rest of Us

While the President indulges in his globetrotting escapades, Kenyans are left to ponder the benefits of these trips. Do they translate to better economic conditions, improved international relations, or are they just expensive photo ops? As Ruto samples the world’s finest, the average Kenyan grapples with rising costs, dwindling opportunities, and a collapsing economy. The disparity is stark and increasingly difficult to ignore.

The World's First Tourist-President
So, while President Ruto may defend his travels as being in the national interest, one can’t help but view his globe-trotting as the pursuits of a man with an insatiable wanderlust. His visits to Kenya have become rare interludes, brief respites from his relentless exploration of the world.

As the President embarks on yet another journey this week, perhaps he could spare a thought for the millions back home, patiently waiting for a leader who sees the world not just through the window of an airplane, but from the ground up, where real life unfolds. In the meantime, the world continues to turn, and President Ruto remains its most dedicated tourist.