President William Ruto has defended his frequent tours across the country, insisting they are part of his constitutional duty and that he will not be deterred by criticism over his busy schedule.
Ruto said he was elected to serve all Kenyans and must engage directly with citizens to understand their needs and monitor the implementation of government development projects.
Speaking on Sunday during the service and 60th anniversary celebrations at Burieruri Boys Senior School in Igembe Central, Meru County, Ruto dismissed concerns about the amount of time he spends travelling, saying no one has the right to dictate how he performs his responsibilities.
"I am surprised that many people are questioning my schedule. They are asking why I go here and why I go there. I ask them, why these questions when the time is not yours and the legs that are walking are not yours? What is your interest in where I am going?" he said.
Ruto said his tours are official engagements meant to keep him connected to wananchi and ensure development reaches every part of the country. He argued that visiting regions in person enables him to identify local challenges and direct government resources where they are needed most.
"There are people who do not understand the difference. They are saying that I have travelled around the country too much. I want to tell them that I am an employee of the people of Kenya and I have a responsibility to listen to Kenyans from every part of the country," he said.
"If I had not come here myself, would these schools have been built? I will continue travelling across the country. I do not need anyone's permission to use my time or my legs. I was employed by the people of Kenya."
The President also reaffirmed his administration's commitment to equitable development, saying some parts of the country had been neglected in the past. He pledged to promote national unity by ensuring every region benefits equally from government projects.
"There was discrimination in the past. Every part of this country and every community deserves equal attention, and I will continue working to unite them. I am not a king, as some people claim," Ruto said.
His remarks echoed comments he made on June 4, when he defended his packed work schedule, saying Kenya could not afford to slow down its development agenda.
At the time, he revealed that his diary was fully booked for six months and dismissed calls for him to take a holiday.
"Don't be worried about me. Some people are saying that I should have gone on holiday. If you want to go on holiday, you can go; it is okay. I have work to do. My diary is full six months ahead," he said.