President William Ruto has said State House is now more accessible than ever before, as part of his government’s commitment to inclusivity and a people-centred leadership approach.
According to Ruto, anyone, regardless of their stature, can visit, dismissing those accusing him of allegedly lowering its standards.
Speaking when he hosted bodaboda national officials, Ruto even recounted how one visitor recently expressed surprise at the diversity of people now frequenting the State House grounds.
“Unajua hapa State House, zamani waliokuwa wanakuja ni wale wadosi tu (Here at State House, in the past, only the high-ranking people used to come),” he said.
“Juzi kuna jamaa mmoja alikuja hapa, wakati alirudi akasema nimeenda pale State House, lakini huyu rais amezusha sana kiwango, kwa sababu siku hizi watu walioko pale ni watu tu hivi hivi.”
He noted that in the past, access to the country’s seat of power was often limited to senior officials, cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, governors, or ambassadors.
But today, he said, even ordinary citizens, including bodaboda riders, are welcome.
“Lakini siku hizi, hata bodaboda wako around,” he said, adding “Na hakuna makosa. Kwani iko makosa? Hakuna makosa.”
(These days, even bodaboda riders are around. And there is nothing wrong with that. Is there anything wrong? There's nothing wrong).
Ruto said this openness is a reflection of the kind of Kenya he envisions, an inclusive nation where everyone, regardless of status, feels seen, heard, and valued.
“We want a country that is united and that begins by ensuring every citizen, from every walk of life, feels like they belong, even at State House,” he said.
