Ruto: Anyone now can come to State House these days
By Aloys Michael, August 7, 2025State House doors are now wider open than ever, President William Ruto has said in a push for people-centred leadership.
The Head of State has said that regardless of their stature, they can visit, dismissing those accusing him of allegedly lowering their standards.
Speaking on Thursday, August 7, 2025, when he hosted Boda Boda national officials, Ruto recounted how one visitor recently expressed surprise at the diversity of people now frequenting the State House grounds.
“Unajua hapa State House, zamani waliokuwa wanakuja ni wale wadosi tu (Here at State House, in the past, only the high-ranking people used to come),” he said.
“Juzi kuna jamaa mmoja alikuja hapa; wakati alirudi akasema nimeenda pale State House, lakini huyu rais amezusha sana kiwango, kwa sababu siku hizi watu walioko pale ni watu tu hivi hivi.”
Ruto noted that in the past, access to the country’s seat of power was often limited to senior officials, cabinet secretaries, principal secretaries, governors, or ambassadors.
But today, he said, even ordinary citizens, including bodaboda riders, are welcome.
“Lakini siku hizi, hata bodaboda wako around. Na hakuna makosa. Kwani iko makosa? Hakuna makosa.”
(These days, even bodaboda riders are around. And there is nothing wrong with that. Is there anything wrong? There’s nothing wrong.)
Ruto said this openness is a reflection of the kind of Kenya he envisions, an inclusive nation where everyone, regardless of status, feels seen, heard, and valued.
“We want a country that is united, and that begins by ensuring every citizen, from every walk of life, feels like they belong, even at State House,” he said.
June 25 demos
Ruto’s remarks come days after more protests were staged on the streets of Nairobi on Wednesday, June 25, 2025.
The protesters, unbowed, chanted “Ruto must go” as they changed the course of protests, which had earlier targeted State House and engaged police in running battles for the better part of the day.
Police in anti-riot gear shot in the air and launched teargas canisters to disperse youth who engaged officers in running battles in the city.
Initially, the protesters had vowed to march to the State House, but heavy security deterred their cause.
Roads leading to the State House were completely cordoned off by police. There were few vehicular movements, with most shops closed for the better part of the day. Public service transport was interrupted as vehicle owners grounded their vehicles.
For the entire part of the day, tear gas filled the CBD air as police battled the demonstrators, arresting many in the process.