Ruto donates Ksh3M to Taita Taveta school for new bus purchase
President William Ruto has donated Ksh3 million to a school in Taita Taveta to facilitate the purchase of a new bus, expressing his eagerness to transform the students’ plight after receiving reports that they had been commuting to school using lorries.
Speaking during his tour of the county on Friday, 28 February 2025, the Head of State acknowledged the school’s plea for assistance in acquiring a bus, assuring them they would not need to fundraise, as he was personally providing the entire amount required to secure the vehicle.
“Watoto wanaenda shuleni na matatizo, wanahangaika. Nasikia mmeamua kuwa mtanunua gari litakalowasaidia watu wa eneo hili. Ni sawa, si sawa? Kwa sababu watoto wote ni wa mama, acha niwasaidie kwa shilingi milioni tatu. Ndio hiyo nimepea huyu mama—mnunue basi. Mkubaliane na wananchi wa hapa mjue vile hiyo basi itakuja na vile itakavyoendeshwa,” he declared.
The President handed over the money in cash, and according to footage shared online, it was stacked in a small sack, sparking cheers and jubilant chants from the crowd.
Ruto’s Taita Taveta tour
The donation was made during Ruto’s visit to Maungu in Taita Taveta County, where he inspected the KSh 50 million Maungu Market project, comprising 200 units, as part of his broader development agenda.
According to a video he shared on his Facebook page, the tour commenced in the morning of February 28, 2025, and covered nearly four constituencies in the county as he pledged ambitious infrastructural projects, including the completion of stalled roads.
For instance, he officially launched the Illasit-Rombo-Njukini-Taveta (B55) Road, promising to oversee its completion and emphasising that once finalised, the road would significantly boost the tourism-rich county.
“The Illasit-Rombo-Taveta road will reduce travel time to Taveta from two hours to just under 45 minutes, facilitating tourism, trade, and access to essential services in the region,” he stated.
Jab at Opponents
During the event, the Head of State also took a swipe at a faction of leaders who had attended the launch of Martha Karua’s People’s Liberation Party (PLP) in Nairobi, criticising them for failing to present a substantive agenda to the people.
He lamented that his detractors had spent over four hours discussing him and plotting to unseat him in the 2027 elections, rather than offering practical solutions to the issues affecting Kenyans.
“I saw some people attempt to launch a political party yesterday; they spent four hours talking about William Ruto. I just want to ask—was the party being created for Ruto, or is it called the Ruto Party?” he quipped.
“Their entire agenda and manifesto revolve around Ruto. Let me remind them—I didn’t send them there to talk about me. Form a party, give it a name, and present a real manifesto,” Ruto challenged the opposition.
Setting the stage for an ideological battle, Ruto told the residents that his administration had laid out a comprehensive strategy to create jobs, enhance infrastructure, and improve the country’s healthcare system. He urged his critics to shift their focus from personal attacks and instead develop actionable policies.
This was the second time Ruto had called out his opponents during his tour of the coastal region. On Thursday, 27 February 2025, while in Lamu, he accused them of fuelling ethnic divisions.
“We will not allow individuals without vision to derail us with tribalism and empty politics instead of uniting the country. Niko tayari kuunganisha Wakenya wote,” he affirmed.
