After the week-long extensive tour of Nairobi city, President William Ruto spent most of this week at State House, where the highlight was welcoming the Dutch royal couple.
King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima arrived in Nairobi on Monday night, and Ruto hosted them on Tuesday morning.
This is how the President's week was
March 17 (Monday)
He hosted the African Development Bank President Adesina Akinwumi where he decorated him with the First Class: Chief of the Order of the Golden Heart (C.G.H.).
The Bank, he said, has been at the centre of our sustainable economic growth.
“The Bank has not only accelerated universal electricity access, strengthened food security and promoted infrastructure development, but has also deepened regional integration,” he stated.
Ruto said Kenya celebrates AfDB’s bold and visionary leadership, particularly Akinwumi for facilitating Kenya and Africa to unlock its potential and improve people’s lives.
On the same day, he received the End-Term Report of the 2nd National Police Service Commission.
The commission chaired by Eliud Kinuthia has completed its term in office.
In his address, Ruto said they are implementing far-reaching reforms to establish a motivated, well-resourced, and professional police service.
These efforts, he stated, have already enhanced recruitment, career progression, discipline, and officers' welfare.
He also expressed his commitment to fostering a transparent, merit-driven, and accountable force that safeguards the security and stability of our nation.
March 18 (Tuesday)
Together with the First Lady Rachel, they hosted King Willem-Alexander and Queen Máxima who were in the country for a four-day state visit.
Ruto said the Netherlands is one of our most significant trading partners in Europe, a steadfast development ally, and a key collaborator in our economic transformation.
“We value this partnership and we are committed to strengthening our ties, expanding economic opportunities, and fostering sustainable collaborations that drive progress in both nations.”
Following their bilateral talks, some three Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and a Letter of Intent with the Netherlands to deepen collaboration in agriculture, trade and investment, industrialisation, tourism, climate action, regional security, and people-to-people connections were signed.
This, according to the Head of State, will enhance Dutch investments in Kenya, strengthen our agricultural and industrial transformation, and drive infrastructure development, thereby accelerating our economic growth and expanding job opportunities for our youth.
Earlier on, the President assented to the Supplementary Appropriation Bill (National Assembly Bill No. 8 2025).
The bill has made available additional resources to facilitate ongoing reforms in the education sector, with Sh18 billion allocated to the Teachers Service Commission for insurance shortfalls, teacher promotion and personal emolument shortfalls.
A further Sh16 billion has been set aside for university education, Sh8 billion for TVETs and Sh600 million for the School Feeding Programme.
The financing gap in health sector reforms is being bridged, with Sh1.5 billion set aside for the recapitalisation of KEMSA, Sh3 billion for the Primary Healthcare Fund, Sh3 billion for the Emergency, Chronic and Critical Illness Fund and Sh1.5 billion for healthcare interns.
Other areas that have been funded include subsidised fertiliser (Sh6.6 billion), County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (Sh1.2 billion), Equalisation Fund (Sh3.7 billion), settlement of the landless (Sh370 million), Thwake Dam (Sh1 billion) and Sh700 million allocated to New KCC for mopping up milk, among others.
Later in the evening, he hosted a state banquet for the visiting royal couple.
March 19 (Wednesday)
He met leaders from Homa Bay County led by Governor Gladys Wanga where they discussed the transformative government programmes being undertaken in the county and the preparations for Madaraka Day celebrations later in the year.
During their talks, he stressed the importance of inclusive national development facilitating the pooling of skills, talents, knowledge and energy of all Kenyans in steering the transformation of our country in all spheres of the economy.
He later awarded a charter to Riara University.
At State House, Ruto also hosted King Letsie III of Lesotho.
The two leaders affirmed the strong and cordial relations between our two nations and deliberated on ways of enhancing them.
They also directed their respective Foreign ministers to convene the Joint Commission on Cooperation to explore more areas of collaboration.
“We also discussed school feeding programmes in Kenya and Lesotho, and expressed satisfaction with the impact they have had in education, including boosting school attendance, improving learning outcomes, and enhancing health and nutrition,” he said.
March 20 (Thursday)
At City Hall, Nairobi, he officially flagged off the 2025 WRC Safari Rally.
In his address, he stated that the government will capitalise on this thriving motor racing zeal in our country and the region to grow sports tourism.
This, he said, will enhance visitor numbers, create employment and spur economic growth.
Later in the afternoon, he met World Bank Vice-President for Eastern and Southern Africa Victoria Kwakwa.
She was accompanied by the bank's Country Director for Kenya Qiamiao Fan.
Ruto said the World Bank has been a dependable development finance partner of Kenya for more than 50 years.
"It has been supporting our country's journey to becoming an upper middle-income country by 2030 through initiatives to reduce poverty and promote shared prosperity," Ruto said.
The government, he added, welcomes the decision that the World Bank and International Finance Corporation Regional vice presidents for Eastern and Southern Africa be based in Nairobi.
“This will make our capital city a central hub in our region and Africa, and a huge World Bank community of 870 staff,” he added.
He also held talks with leaders from Mt Kenya where they discussed the progress we are making in coffee, tea and dairy farming, infrastructure development, affordable housing and fresh produce markets, among others.
Deputy President Kithure Kindiki was also present.
The meeting comes ahead of his planned tour of the region.
Thereafter, he met Saudi Arabia Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Waleed Al Khuraiji.
Kenya and Saudi Arabia have solid and cordial diplomatic, trade and people-to-people ties that have boosted relations between our two countries.
He said: “Our bonds of friendship have been strengthened by the opening of the Kenya Consulate in Jeddah to ease travel for businesspeople and pilgrims.”
