President William Ruto has told off opposition chief Raila Odinga over his criticism of his many foreign trips, saying he is not a tourist but a responsible leader travelling with a plan.
Speaking during a church service in Lari Constituency in Kiambu County, Ruto said he has been travelling across the world to look for jobs and seek partnerships.
”You have heard that I have travelled to many countries of the world, I have been travelling with a plan as I am not a tourist,” Ruto said on Sunday.
”For this country to develop, there must be a plan and leadership. That is why, even as we talk today, our CS for Labour is in Saudi Arabia because we want to plan on how our youth will get jobs everywhere.”
The President said that while he is seeking to create jobs in the country through affordable housing, he is also looking for opportunities in foreign lands.
”I saw recently the leader of the opposition complaining that many youths are being sent abroad to work. Did he want them to remain here in Kenya, doing what?” Ruto posed.
Raila has recently criticised Ruto over his foreign trips, terming the head of state a globetrotting leader burning away taxpayers’ money at a time when the economy is weighed down.
But the president fired back, insisting that his overseas trips are aimed at benefitting the people of Kenya.
”Not yet, many youths will leave the country in the coming months, we have agreed with America, Germany and Saudia. Some will be leaving for Israel,” Ruto said.
”If someone gets a job in Israel and earns a salary of Sh100,000, is there a problem, let me tell him that more will be leaving the country.”
The President has done 48 trips outside the country, the last one being his one-day visit to Djibouti on Saturday.
Ruto said his trips will benefit many Kenyans and also help the government spur development.
”In the last year, I have travelled to many countries and I have found so many friends in the IMF, World Bank, China and US and the rest,” he said.
At the same time, the President thanked God that he had favoured him by making him president at a time when the country was going through tough economic times.
”God has favoured me to be the leader of Kenya at a time when things are very difficult and I know he will give me the grace and the energy to serve the country,” he said.
Read More: I’m not tourist, I travel with plan