Ruto briefly stops address to verify speech

President William Ruto briefly interrupted his address after questioning whether he was reading the correct prepared speech, prompting a short pause on the podium.

“Thank you very much, you may take your seats,” the President said before falling silent and taking a closer look at his written remarks.

Moments later, he stopped again and asked aloud: “Are you sure this is the right speech?”

A bodyguard approached the President and quietly assured him that the speech was indeed the correct one.

“I just wanted to be sure,” Ruto responded, before adding, “Let me take that again” and proceed with his address.

The brief exchange drew attention from the audience but did not disrupt the rest of the event, as the President continued with his speech without further interruption.

Ruto on Wednesday awarded a charter to Bomet University at State House, Nairobi.

This made the institution the 36th public chartered university in Kenya.

Ruto affirmed his commitment to bring higher education closer to the people.

He said it expands choice, reduces barriers to access and ensures opportunity is not limited by geography.

"As a result of this deliberate policy, national university enrolment grew by 12 per cent last year. This progress reflects our resolve to ensure every qualified Kenyan has a fair chance to pursue higher education and acquire the skills required for a modern, competitive economy," the President said.

Bomet University has become the latest institution in Kenya to be awarded a full university charter, marking a historic milestone in the country’s higher education sector.

The state ceremony, convened under Section 19 of the Universities Act, Chapter 210, formally recognised the university’s transition to full autonomy and academic excellence.

The university traces its origins to 2017, when it was established as a constituent college of Moi University under Legal Notice No. 145 of July 27.

Its creation was a strategic step toward realising the government’s policy goal of establishing at least one university in every county, broadening access to higher education for Kenyan youth.

Known as Kenya’s premier green university, Bomet University has woven environmental sustainability into its core mission.

The institution actively promotes conservation efforts through tree planting initiatives in partnership with the Kenya Forest Service (KFS) and Equity Bank.

These programmes support the government’s tree-growing and restoration agenda, positioning the university as a national leader in environmental stewardship.

The university currently caters to 8,777 students, a number that has steadily grown since its inception.