Willis Otieno: Ruto is obsessed with billionaire hotels while Kenyans starve
Good governance advocate and lawyer Willis Otieno has slammed President William Ruto over what he termed as deeply misplaced priorities.
Through his X handle on Thursday, August 7, 2025, the outspoken lawyer reacted to President Ruto’s remarks celebrating the construction of three privately funded hotels at the Bomas of Kenya, accusing Ruto of being “obsessed with ribbon-cutting for billionaires” while millions of ordinary Kenyans struggle to afford necessities.
Ruto’s remarks on foreign investors
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President Ruto, in a statement issued earlier, praised the development as a milestone in the country’s efforts to grow its hospitality and tourism sectors.
“We are expanding our hotel capacity in the city with the construction of three hotels by the private sector at the Bomas of Kenya,” the President said.
Otieno, however, viewed the celebration of such projects as tone-deaf and disconnected from the lived realities of most citizens.
“A President obsessed with ribbon-cutting for billionaires, while the rest of the country starves. What are our priorities as a country?” Otieno posted, sparking conversation online around the country’s leadership direction.
Government’s misplaced priorities
He further criticised the government’s continued focus on mega infrastructure announcements and foreign investment ribbon-cutting ceremonies, while failing to address immediate concerns such as hunger, the high cost of living, and rising unemployment.
Otieno’s comments come amid growing public dissatisfaction with the government’s handling of economic hardships that have left many households unable to meet basic food needs. Recent data from the Kenya National Bureau of Statistics indicated a rise in food insecurity, particularly in rural counties and informal urban settlements.
While the President’s allies argue that foreign investment is key to economic recovery and job creation, critics like Otieno insist that national development should begin by addressing the most urgent human needs.
The development comes amid the backdrop of raging debate on the government plan to lease several state corporations to private investors, with opposition leaders warning that the private entities could be Ruto and his allies.
