Ruto turns blackout into comedy gold in Rome

President William Ruto in Rome, Italy /HANDOUT

President William Ruto briefly turned an awkward moment into humour after a sudden blackout interrupted his speech at the LUISS School of Government in Rome, Italy, drawing laughter from his audience and online viewers.

The incident occurred during a public address at the Italian university, where Ruto was speaking to students and scholars as part of his official visit to Italy.

The lecture, themed around Kenya’s future and Africa’s place in the global order, brought together policymakers, scholars and students, providing a platform for engagement on governance, development and international cooperation.

Midway through his remarks, the lights suddenly went out, forcing a pause in the proceedings.

A video shared widely on social media shows the President reacting in real time.

As the room fell into darkness, Ruto quickly broke the tension with humour, saying, “May be I shouldn't have said ‘now’!”

The remark triggered laughter in the room, easing what could have been an uncomfortable disruption.

The blackout lasted only briefly before power was restored and before the event resumed he said, "Okay, somebody is working on something. Just wait for a minute."

After a few minutes, a man in a suit walked towards him and whispered something.

'"Yes i think we are there and my point was, we need to correct the imbalance of failure sooner than later," he proceeded to say immediately the man walked away.

Despite the interruption, Ruto maintained composure and continued with his address, demonstrating a relaxed and confident demeanour in front of the international audience.

According to footage from the event, the interruption briefly disrupted the speech before normalcy returned, allowing the President to proceed with his engagement.

Ruto’s appearance at Luiss University formed part of his broader diplomatic and official engagements in Italy.

The event marked the second day of his three-day visit to Italy, where he is holding a series of high level engagements focused on investment, infrastructure development and climate action.

Ruto’s address in Rome is understood to be part of these efforts, offering a platform to connect with young leaders and intellectual communities in Europe.

The President further used the opportunity to call for reforms in the global financial system, arguing that existing structures disadvantage developing economies, particularly in Africa.

“More than ever before, a more just, balanced and responsive global financial system is an absolute imperative,” Ruto said.

As Kenya continues to position itself on the global stage, such international appearances remain significant.

They provide opportunities to build partnerships and showcase leadership beyond domestic borders.