President William Ruto began the week after returning from the United Nations General Assembly in New York with a less packed schedule.
The week was marked by activities ranging from diplomacy, trade, youth empowerment, and sports.
Here's the roundup:
September 29, Monday
At State House, Nairobi, the President bid farewell to outgoing Italian Ambassador Roberto Natali, whose tour of duty in Kenya had come to an end.
He lauded the envoy for strengthening bilateral ties over the years and wished him success in his future endeavours.
President William Ruto, when he commissioned the Sh1.4 billion, 10-storey Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Complex at Umma University/PCS Kenya and Italy, which have enjoyed six decades of strong relations, continue to collaborate in trade, education, health, agriculture, and culture.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s readiness to work with Italy in rolling out the Mattei Plan for Africa, aimed at boosting partnerships in energy, infrastructure, and health.
September 30, Tuesday
In Kajiado County, he presided over the commissioning of the Sh1.4 billion, 10-storey Dr Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Complex at Umma University.
The facility will accommodate more than 10,000 students. He also broke ground for Phase III of the Umma University School of Engineering, marking a significant step in equipping Kenyan youth with skills for the future.
President William Ruto, with other officials, when he opened the Nairobi trade fair/PCS The Head of State noted that reforms in the higher education sector, including governance restructuring, a new student-centred funding model, and enhanced financing, are opening access, lowering fees, and restoring financial stability to universities.
October 1, Wednesday
In Nairobi, he laid the foundation stone for the China-Kenya International Commerce Centre, a Sh5 billion mixed-use development at Jamhuri Showground.
Covering over 68,000 square metres, the project will include a world-class exhibition and trade centre, a five-star hotel, and other modern facilities, while creating 3,000 jobs.
He later opened the 2025 Nairobi International Trade Fair at Jamhuri Park, hailing farmers for their resilience and underscoring agriculture and trade as the “twin turbo-engines of Kenya’s prosperity.”
The government, he said, has already registered 7.1 million farmers, lowered input costs, and invested in value addition through special economic zones and county industrial parks.
October 2, Thursday
The day began with a breakfast at the State House for Team Kenya, which excelled at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
Kenya bagged seven gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, finishing second globally and first in Africa. President Ruto praised the athletes for showcasing Kenya’s extraordinary talent and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to raising sports standards.
October 3, Friday
The President met with officials from the ministries of MSMEs, Sports, and Youth, led by CS Salim Mvurya, as part of a whole-of-government approach to youth empowerment.
He revealed that all Principal Secretaries would meet on Friday to align on youth initiatives, followed by wider consultations with governors, MPs, MCAs, and administrators on Monday.
Among the key programmes is the Sh5 billion National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) Project, supported by the World Bank.
The initiative will benefit 100,000 youth across all wards, each receiving a Sh50,000 grant to launch enterprises. Complementary programmes in affordable housing, labour mobility, and digital jobs are also creating opportunities for young Kenyans.
The President closed the day with a consultative meeting with apparel industry stakeholders at State House.
He briefed them on discussions with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington regarding the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and a long-term trade framework.
He assured the sector, which earned Kenya $600 million in 2024 and employs 70,000 people, that operations will continue smoothly as negotiations progress.
October 4, Saturday
He wrapped up the week by joining members of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God (PAG) Church for the centenary service celebrations at Nyang’ori in Vihiga County.
He later inspected the progress of the 220-unit Boma Yangu Vihiga Estate, Vihiga County, which now stands at 96 per cent complete.
He said the government's ambition is to deliver 200,000 affordable homes every year, not just as shelter but as engines of jobs.
"Already, nearly 170,000 units are under construction, creating 320,000 jobs, a number that will rise to 650,000 as the programme scales," he said.
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