Ruto the chef! President fries fish at shores of Lake Victoria amid cheers
By Ascah Mwango, August 12, 2025If you have ever wondered what it looks like when the President swaps his suit for an apron, well, Homa Bay got a front-row seat.
On Tuesday, August 12, 2025, President William Ruto, in town for the Devolution Conference, where he is set to be one of the keynote speakers, decided to make an unscheduled stop at the shores of Lake Victoria. But he was not there to give a speech, but to fry fish and enjoy the lake people’s staple.
The President washed up, waited for his fish to be brought, then confidently slid it into sizzling hot oil. Cheers went up from the onlookers and leaders, including Homa Bay’s own Governor Gladys Wanga, who stood nearby looking equal parts amused and proud.
As the oil crackled, Luo music floated through the air. The sun was slowly bowing out for the day, painting the lake in that golden evening glow. It was a perfect scene, part cooking show, part presidential tour.
Devolution conference
It is all roads leading to Homa Bay this August 12 to 15, 2025, as Kenya hosts the ninth biennial Devolution Conference. The gathering brings together national and county leaders, civil society, development partners, and the private sector to review progress on devolution and plan for the future. This year’s event is held at Homa Bay High School under the theme, “For the People, For Prosperity: Devolution as a Catalyst for Equity, Inclusion and Social Justice.”
The conference aims to foster dialogue on how devolution can promote fairness, inclusion, and social justice across Kenya’s counties. A key focus is re-engineering county governments to speed up development and reduce socio-economic disparities. Attendees discuss important issues like good governance, human rights, social justice, and financing equitable growth.
Pre-conference activities include cultural events, sports, and community engagement to celebrate the host county’s rich traditions. The formal sessions begin with President William Ruto officially opening the conference, highlighting the importance of devolved government in enhancing service delivery and local development.
Day two features a keynote address from former Prime Minister Raila Odinga, focusing on the role of social justice and inclusion in the devolution framework. The final day centres on financing mechanisms to ensure fair revenue sharing and improve access to funds for small businesses and vulnerable groups. Deputy President Kithure Kindiki is expected to give the closing remarks.
The conference serves as a platform for exchanging ideas, sharing innovations, and forging partnerships to strengthen devolution. It concludes with a joint communique outlining actionable policies and strategies to guide Kenya’s continued journey towards equitable and inclusive development.