President William Ruto with Housing Principal Secretary Charles Hinga and other leaders in Bura/PCSPresident William Ruto on Saturday joked that a week of meetings and long journeys along the Coast had taken a toll on the leaders who accompanied him, with some “disappearing” before his final engagement in Bura, Tana River County.
Ruto made the remarks as he wrapped up his week-long development tour of the Coast, shortly after laying the foundation stone for student hostels at Bura Faya Technical and Vocational College.
“Mnajua nimetembea na viongozi wengi sana, sasa wamekwama njiani. Wengine wamepotea, miguu imeisha kwa barabara ati nimewasumbua sana, ati nimewafanyia mikutano mingi,” Ruto said, amid laughter from the crowd.
He singled out several leaders who, he joked, had abandoned him before the final meeting.
“Akina Joho wametoroka, akina Speaker Kingi wametoroka, akina Mvurya wametoroka,” he said.
Ruto was referring to Mining Cabinet Secretary Hassan Joho, Senate Speaker Amason Kingi and Sports Cabinet Secretary Salim Mvurya.
The said leaders were, however, present during the day's meetings in the region.
He then joked that the leaders had left him to handle the final meeting alone.
“Sasa wameniachia hii mkutano ya mwisho. Mnaona vile hawa watu wananinyanyasa?” he said, drawing laughter.
Despite the fatigue of the tour, Ruto said he could not leave the region without meeting residents of Bura.
“Lakini mnafikiri naweza rudi bila kuongelesha watu wa Bura? Aah, hiyo haiwezekani. Hata kama ni kulala Bura, wacha nilale,” he said.
President William Ruto in Bura, Tana River on October 3,2026/PCS
The President's remarks came as he wrapped up a week-long tour of the Coast, during which he was accompanied by national and local leaders and launched, inspected and commissioned various government projects.
At Bura Faya Technical and Vocational College, Ruto laid the foundation stone for student hostels valued at Sh145 million.
The government will also provide scholarships worth Sh6.7 million to 100 students at the institution as part of efforts to increase enrolment.
“We will do whatever it takes to ensure that every child has the opportunity to access quality education,” Ruto said.
The President said the Coast tour had seen the government issue 300,000 title deeds across the region.
He said the administration had also commissioned, inspected and launched projects in education, roads, water, healthcare, electricity and housing.
“We remain steadfast in our commitment to delivering equitable development and shared prosperity,” Ruto said.
In Bura, the President also encouraged residents to register with the Social Health Authority to enable them to access healthcare services.
He called on parents to ensure their children remained in school, linking education access to the government's wider development agenda.
The Coast tour took Ruto through several counties, where he addressed residents and presided over the launch of various projects.
The President thanked residents for their reception during the week-long tour.
“Wakaaji wa Pwani, thank you for your warm reception,” he said.
The Bura meeting marked the final stop of the tour, with Ruto using the light-hearted exchange with the leaders to end a week of extensive public engagements across the Coast region.
