The Head of State, who is on an official state tour of the region, was asked whether his presence in Kitui was politically motivated or purely for development purposes.
Visibly irritated by the question, President Ruto sharply responded, terming it “a stupid question.”
He went on to assert that as the President of Kenya, he has the right to visit any part of the country for development matters and not necessarily for political reasons.
“That is a stupid question. I am the President of Kenya. I can visit any county in this country to launch or inspect development projects. It has nothing to do with politics,” Ruto retorted, drawing mixed reactions from the journalists present.
The exchange momentarily disrupted the otherwise calm media briefing that had followed a series of meetings with Ukambani leaders and county officials.
The President later continued addressing development issues, highlighting various government projects in the region, including road infrastructure, water supply, and education improvement programs.
Ruto emphasized that his administration remains committed to equitable development across all regions, regardless of political affiliation.
He urged local leaders to support his government’s initiatives aimed at improving livelihoods and spurring economic growth.
The President’s visit to Kitui is part of his broader tour of the Ukambani region, where he is expected to inspect ongoing national projects and commission new ones.
His remarks, however, have already sparked reactions among political observers, with some interpreting his response as evidence of growing tension between the government and sections of the media.
