Ruto Braves Heavy Rain as He Addresses Bomet Residents During Tour

President William Ruto was forced to brave heavy rain for the second time during his tour of Bomet County on Friday as he addressed hundreds of residents who had gathered along the highway to receive him.

Ruto had just landed at Kapkoros Centre in Bomet Central from Boito in neighbouring Konoin, where he had launched the construction of the 91-kilometre Kapkatet-Boito-Kapset-Kaptien-Kapleleito-Kiptenden-Kapkoros-Kiplelji-Kapsimotwa-Kapkwen-Olbutyo-Siongiroi road.

He was scheduled to commission the newly completed Kapkoros Sub-County Hospital when heavy rains began pounding the area.

The President used an umbrella as he walked to the facility before touring the newly completed hospital.

After the tour, he proceeded to the main highway, where hundreds of residents had braved the downpour to wait for him.

Ruto addressed the gathering as the rain continued, with only a few local leaders getting an opportunity to speak because of the worsening weather conditions.

Ruto defends SHA

During his brief address, Ruto defended the Social Health Authority (SHA), saying the government had made significant progress in expanding access to healthcare.

“No amount of propaganda can erase the fact that SHA has stamped its mark in the delivery of universal healthcare in Kenya,” Ruto said.

The President said 33 million Kenyans had been registered under SHA, compared with eight million people who were covered by the defunct National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF).

“Unlike NHIF, which largely covered people in employment, SHA covers all categories of the people of Kenya,” he said.

Ruto added that SHA was making payments to healthcare facilities ranging from dispensaries to Level Six hospitals for services provided to patients.

He said the funds were being deposited directly into facility accounts in accordance with the Facility Improvement Financing Act.

The President also said the new Kapkoros Sub-County Hospital would improve access to primary healthcare services for residents of Bomet Central and surrounding areas.

Ruto calls for unity

Earlier at Boito, Ruto urged Kenyans to reject tribal politics, arguing that national development could only be achieved through unity and equitable distribution of resources.

“Kenyans must reject attempts by leaders to divide the country along tribal and other bases. Divisive politics is outdated and retrogressive,” he said.

“We are one people with a common destiny, and no part of Kenya will be favoured at the expense of another,” he added.

The Sh5.2 billion road project launched at Boito is expected to improve connectivity, open up rural areas and support trade and agricultural activities across the region.

Ruto highlights education investment

Earlier in the day, the President was in neighbouring Kericho County, where he opened a tuition block at Torit Girls Secondary School in Ainamoi Constituency.

He also launched construction of the 80-kilometre Torit-Kenegut-Koitaburot-Kipsitet-Kapsorok-Sondu-Koilsir-Mindililwet-Mabasi-Machorwa-Getarwet road.

Ruto said the government had allocated Sh784 billion to the education sector, representing 30 per cent of the current national budget.

“We have allocated Sh784 billion, representing 30 per cent of the budget, to education in the current financial year because it is one of our key priorities,” Ruto said.

He cited the recruitment of 100,000 teachers, with another 20,000 expected to be hired later in the year, as well as the construction of 23,000 classrooms.

Ruto also said the government was refining the higher education funding model through legislation before Parliament.