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After taking office as the country's second in command in October 2022, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has kept true to his fitness journey, with his morning signature walks, latest being Kilifi County.

''It was exciting interacting and engaging with the people along the streets and beaches of the town, during my morning walk as they went about building the Nation,'' the DP wrote on X on Friday.

These walks, despite being of great benefit to DP Gachagua, as he keeps fit for the heavy load of his office, these walks teach us several valuable lessons. Like:

Everyday Encounters Matter: It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and engaging with ordinary citizens in our daily lives. Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua's interactions with Mama Asha and other other Kenyans during his morning walks highlight the significance of these seemingly mundane encounters.

Hard Work and Determination: His walk connects with the resilience and determination of Kenyans like Mama Asha Sidi Chengo, who work tirelessly to provide for their families and pursue a better future. Her commitment to her hustle despite challenges serves as an inspiration to persevere in the face of adversity.

Empathy and Compassion: Deputy President Gachagua's empathy towards ordinary Kenyans like Mama Asha and his willingness to support her endeavors demonstrate the importance of compassion towards others, especially those striving to improve their circumstances. It reminds us of the impact that acts of kindness and support can have on individuals and communities.

Community Engagement: The walk underscores the significance of engaging with and understanding the needs of different communities. By reaching out to Mama Asha and inviting her for further discussions, Deputy President Gachagua exemplifies the importance of listening to the concerns and aspirations of ordinary citizens and working towards addressing them.

Leadership with Purpose: Through his actions, Deputy President Gachagua exemplifies leadership with a purpose – one that is grounded in connecting with the grassroots, uplifting the vulnerable, and fostering opportunities for growth and empowerment. It serves as a reminder of the responsibility of leaders to serve the interests of all members of society, especially those most in need.

The Port of Lamu is poised for a significant performance upgrade with the imminent arrival of three Ship-to-Shore gantry cranes. The Kenya Ports Authority (KPA) is set to receive these state-of-the-art cranes.

KPA Managing Director Capt. William Ruto expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "We expect to see a paradigm shift in terms of handling of transshipments with the new ship-to-shore crane arriving in Lamu." Capt. Ruto also highlighted the strategic importance of the port, with the Ethiopian government expressing keen interest in utilizing Lamu as a key trade hub.

The modernization efforts extend beyond Lamu, with the Port of Mombasa already reaping the benefits of enhanced infrastructure. Capt. Ruto commended the port's recent achievements, noting, "In the month of March, we broke a record of handling more than 180,000 Twenty-foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) in a month, this has never been achieved before."

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pledged to sponsor ten financially needy students from Pwani University to ensure they complete their studies.

"I will pay the school fees for 10 students who are very needy as a way of remembrance of my visit," declared the Deputy President.

The Rigathi Gachagua Foundation, under his leadership, will oversee the selection process of the students recommended by the university administration.

Deputy President Gachagua also announced a revised funding model for Kenyan universities, aiming to enhance accessibility to education. The new model offers various financing options, including full, partial, and loan financing based on students' financial circumstances, a departure from the previous standardized funding approach.

"We are open to student leaders' input to further refine the model. Their feedback is crucial for continuous improvement," emphasized the Deputy President.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has pledged a comprehensive reform of the University funding model to ensure equitable access to education, emphasizing the crucial role of student input in shaping the revamped system.

Addressing stakeholders at Pwani University in Kilifi County, DP Gachagua emphasized the need for student engagement, stating, "If the student leaders have a contribution to make, we shall create a mechanism to listen to them. We are willing to receive more ideas to improve."

The initiative aims to enhance opportunities for students, particularly those from underprivileged backgrounds, through tailored financial support mechanisms. Dr. Beatrice Inyangala, the Principal Secretary for Higher Education and Research, affirmed the government's commitment to gathering feedback for a student-centric funding model.

"We have received good feedback. Our team will collect input from universities, including Pwani University, to ensure the model meets the needs of all students," PS Inyangala stated.

In a bid to mentor future leaders, DP Gachagua encouraged students to prioritize their mental well-being, urging them to seek assistance when facing challenges. He emphasized the importance of education in fostering personal growth and leadership skills.

Furthermore, in a gesture of mentorship, the Deputy President selected a student to accompany him on an international trip to Rwanda, reinforcing the government's dedication to nurturing young leaders for inclusive development.

President William Ruto was awarded the prestigious 'Medalha Amílcar Cabral', Guinea-Bissau's highest honor, in recognition of his bravery and exemplary leadership.

Ruto expressed gratitude for the honor and pledged to continue efforts to unite and transform Africa, emphasizing collaboration and collective progress.

This award adds to Ruto's recent accolades, including the Companion of the Order of the Star of the Volta from Ghana, where he was hailed for his leadership and commitment to the rule of law.

During his visit to Guinea-Bissau, President Ruto highlighted the importance of strengthening ties between Kenya and Guinea-Bissau, particularly in trade, investment, security, agriculture, the Blue Economy, and environmental cooperation.

Ruto's recent state visits aim to bolster relations with African nations and promote economic growth across the continent, as evidenced by the signing of multiple Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Ghana, emphasizing the significance of diplomatic ties for historic collaboration and mutual benefit.

Kenya's overall debt decreased notably following a drop in the exchange rate between February and March 2024, resulting in a reduction of Ksh1 trillion.

Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) Governor Kamau Thugge highlighted the significance of the drop, particularly considering the depreciation of the dollar by close to Ksh30 within recent months.

Governor Thugge explained that the reduction primarily affected shilling-denominated dollar debt, estimating the decrease in exchange rate from around Ksh160 to Ksh130, resulting in savings of around Ksh30.

Recent gains in the shilling were credited to Kenya's activity in the Eurobond market in February, which alleviated concerns regarding meeting debt obligations, particularly the USD2 billion Eurobond due in June.

With Kenya's debt previously exceeding Ksh11 trillion as of January, the reduction in exchange rate should bring the overall debt down to around Ksh10 trillion, with the majority of the outstanding debt owed to multilateral financial institutions and China.

Kenya and France have agreed on a deal for mega projects amounting to Ksh30 billion, focusing on infrastructure development in transportation and sports industries.

The deal includes Ksh20 billion funding for the upgrading of the Nairobi Commuter Railway line, aimed at enhancing transport services and mobility in the Nairobi Metropolitan area.

France will fully fund the Nairobi Commuter Railway upgrade project, reflecting their commitment to supporting Kenya's urban development initiatives and infrastructure improvement plans.

Kenya and France will collaborate on developing eight sports centers across the country, with a budget of Ksh10 billion, aimed at boosting the sports industry and preparing for the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in 2027.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi credited President William Ruto for his role in solving conflicts globally, highlighting his leadership in promoting international partnerships and securing funding for critical projects like the Nairobi Commuter Railway upgrade and sports center development.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua is in Kigali, Rwanda for the 30th commemoration of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi, where he is representing President William Ruto alongside other Heads of State and Government, envoys, and delegations from various countries.

The DP's delegation includes Members of Parliament, government officials, and student leaders to engage with Kenyans living and working in Rwanda.

''We join President Paul Kagame and the People of the Republic of Rwanda in laying a wreath at the Kigali Genocide Memorial as the country marks the 30th Anniversary of the 1994 Genocide Against the Tutsi,'' the DP said in a statement.

''The Gallant and Resilient People of Rwanda, under the able leadership of President Kagame, have made remarkable strides in redefining and living the destiny of their Nation- a United, Peaceful and Prosperous Rwanda.''

The theme of the Kwibuka 30: Remember-Unite-Renew goes beyond the borders of Rwanda in building peace on a firm foundation of justice through strong societies and institutions in Africa and across the globe.

DP Gachagua's visit highlights the Ruto Administration's focus on economic diplomacy, aiming to strengthen diplomatic relations with African states and beyond to increase remittances and bilateral trade.

The administration seeks to leverage Kenya's growing exports to Rwanda and promote investment opportunities, particularly in sectors like agriculture, where production is increasing under the leadership of the Deputy President.

Deputy President has emphasized the importance of economic gain in evaluating the performance of envoys, highlighting the administration's focus on results-oriented diplomacy.

This approach aligns with President Ruto's emphasis on economic diplomacy and emphasizes the administration's commitment to leveraging diplomatic efforts for tangible benefits to the country, particularly in trade and investment.

The multi-agency teams, led by the National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA), conducted 25,219 raids across Kenya within three weeks, resulting in the apprehension of 12,443 individuals and the closure of 9,269 non-compliant joints involved in alcohol and drug abuse.

The crackdown was part of the government's 25-point enforcement program announced by Interior Cabinet Secretary Kithure Kindiki, aimed at combatting illicit alcohol and drug abuse. The operations targeted not only illicit brews but also counterfeit and uncustomed alcohol, resulting in significant seizures.

Authorities confiscated at least 1.4 million litres of illicit brews, 46,273 litres of counterfeit and uncustomed alcohol, and 2,559 litres of illegal ethanol during the operations. This highlights the scale of the problem and the substantial efforts made to address it.

The crackdown also focused on shisha joints across the country, resulting in the closure of 150 outlets. Despite a court overturning the ban on shisha, authorities continued their efforts to address the sale and use of the substance as part of the broader campaign against substance abuse.

In response to non-compliance among alcohol manufacturers and distillers, the government suspended 24 entities following vetting of their operations. Interior Cabinet Secretary Kindiki emphasized that the suspensions will remain in place until the affected entities satisfactorily address compliance issues within 21 days, demonstrating a commitment to enforcing regulations and ensuring public.

The government has suspended eight officials from the Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS) believed to be behind the fake fertilizer distribution to farmers as it intensifies crackdown on individuals behind the saga.

Speaking in Rwanda over the weekend, Deputy President condemned the distribution of sub-standard fertilizer to government stores and said police detectives will arrest persons involved in the scam.

He said rogue suppliers delivered a consignment of 50,000 bags of the sub-standard fertilizer; an amount that he said is negligible and cannot affect the country’s food security situation.

The Deputy President also said the security detectives are on top of the matter and arrests and prosecution will be made soon.

“Every society has rogue people. Only one supplier brought something that is not good. It is negligible. The amount involved is small and cannot affect our food security. However, we will be more careful and work on how to stop people from being mischievous,” he stated as he asked traders to be patriotic.

According to the Deputy President, the government has imported four million bags of fertilizer and out of that amount only 50,000 bags came from a crooked supplier.

“The fertilizer subsidy program has been very successful. Before we came in, the fertilizer never used to reach people. We registered over five million farmers and created an electronic voucher system. As a result of the subsidized price of fertiliser, we produced over 60 million bags of maize last year, up from 40 million,” he said.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has unveiled plans to prioritize students in the issuance of passports, aiming to alleviate delays caused by inadequate equipment.

Addressing concerns during an interactive session in Rwanda, Gachagua revealed that the government is set to acquire a new printer within 45 days, doubling passport production capacity.

"We are going to give students priority so that they can be able to process their Visa," stated Gachagua, emphasizing the importance of facilitating students' educational and career opportunities abroad.

Gachagua assured that the backlog in passport issuance would be cleared within a year, underscoring the government's commitment to enhancing efficiency in processing passports. He highlighted the need for modern equipment to combat cybercrime and ensure a seamless passport issuance process.

The announcement follows recent efforts by the government, including the installation of fully equipped halls at Nyayo House and the increase in biometric desks to expedite passport processing.

Immigration Principal Secretary Julius Bitok urged Kenyans to collect their passports promptly to streamline operations and address the backlog effectively.

President William Ruto has dubbed Kenya a "special nation" and stressed its fortunate status as a result of his worldwide trips.

President Ruto reaffirmed his deep conviction in Kenya's greatness during a Church service in Eldoret on Sunday, April 7, 2024, saying, "We are a great nation, we are a blessed nation."

He asked all Kenyans to band together and cooperate to make the country even stronger, emphasizing the importance of collective responsibility in achieving national objectives.

President Ruto also unveiled plans to boost food production in Kenya and reduce imports, citing the divine provision of rain as a means to achieve self-sufficiency.

He stated, "When God promises to give us rain in the season, it means that we should use that rain to feed ourselves and reduce what we import from other countries."

This declaration comes amidst his extensive global engagements, including visits to over 10 countries in 2022 and multiple international trips in 2023 and 2024.

His recent visits to Ghana, Guinea Bissau, and various other nations underscore his commitment to strengthening international relations and promoting Kenya's interests on the global stage.

Principal Secretary public Health Mary Muthoni has appealed to striking doctors to accept the government’s offer as the Health Ministry pushes to find a lasting solution for the ongoing healthcare challenges in the country.

Speaking over the weekend in Thika, PS Muthoni told health workers the government says it cannot meet the doctors’ demands due to financial constraints.

The PS emphasized the importance of digitizing health services to enhance efficiency and streamline healthcare delivery across Kenya.

On Sunday, President William Ruto told doctors to understand that there is a limit to what the government can spend on their salaries and allowances.

Saying the government values the work doctors and interns play in the health sector, the President pointed out that the country cannot continue to live beyond its means.

“The resources we have are only sufficient to pay Ksh 70,000 for intern doctors. This is not a salary; it is a stipend for only one year. Afterwards, they will be employed,” he said.

The President explained that the government has the funds needed to absorb all the 1,500 doctor interns at Ksh 70,000 a month.

President William Ruto on Monday announced plans to pay milk farmers every 15 days, starting July 2024, as part of the national government's efforts to empower farmers and ensure timely payments, akin to monthly salaries.

The head of state who spoke in Eldoret highlighted the importance of prompt payments, criticizing cooperatives for delaying payments for up to two months and emphasized the need for agricultural reforms.

In preparation for the bimonthly payments, Ruto announced that starting July 2024, farmers would start receiving payments every 30 days. 

“I have directed that starting this July, payments will be made promptly every end month just like salaries,” the President promised. 

The Ministry of Roads and Transport is prioritizing technology investment to curb road accidents, with plans to deploy monitoring gadgets on various roads to enforce traffic regulations effectively.

CS Kipchumba Murkomen on Monday announced plans for regulations and monitoring systems to ensure strict enforcement of traffic laws, intending to prosecute offenders and reduce road accidents.

The Transport CS attributed the surge in road accidents to careless driving and vows to seal loopholes contributing to road carnage.

Already, public service vehicle industry stakeholders have initiated sensitization programs to educate drivers and touts on road safety, with a focus on mental health training to address reckless driving behaviors.

Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua highlighted drug and substance abuse as the foremost challenge facing Kenya, emphasizing the detrimental impact on the youth and society as a whole.

Gachagua applauded the government's decisive action in combating drug abuse, including the closure of factories producing toxic substances and enforcing strict regulations to curb the proliferation of illegal drugs.