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President William Ruto entertained residents of Gatanga, Murang’a County, with a humorous slip of the tongue during a recent rally. While discussing development projects, he mistakenly referred to ‘Kasongo’ instead of ‘soko,’ prompting laughter from the crowd. Despite the light moment, Ruto emphasized his commitment to completing infrastructure and agricultural projects in the area, including the
Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto sparked laughter in Gatanga, Murang’a County, on Saturday after a light-hearted slip of the tongue during his address to residents.
While outlining development projects in the area, the President momentarily misspoke, saying, “Hapa tuko na soko zenu. Hapa Gatanga tuko na soko mara tatu, tuko na Kasongo…” before quickly correcting himself to say “soko.”
The crowd reacted with laughter at the unexpected remark, and although Ruto attempted to continue with his speech, the laughter persisted.
The President paused briefly, smiled, and joined in the laughter before regaining his composure and proceeding with his address.
Earlier, before the light moment, Ruto was assuring residents that road projects in the area would be completed, responding to long-standing demands from locals and leaders for the fulfilment of pledges made in 2021.
“I want to ask the people of Gatura, isn’t everyone judged by the work they do? This road from Gatura to Njambini, I will complete it, do we agree?… All these roads you have mentioned today, I will organise myself and return to ensure they are delivered,” he said.
The President was speaking during a public engagement forum in Gatura as part of a two-day development tour of Murang’a County.
The visit was packed with official engagements centred on agriculture, infrastructure and market development.
Ruto handed over two 5,000-litre milk coolers to Kigoro Dairy Cooperative Society and Gatanga Highlands Dairy Cooperative in Gatanga Constituency.
He later presented a 10,000-litre milk cooler to Kangari United Dairy Cooperative Society in Kigumo Constituency, saying the facilities would reduce post-harvest losses, enhance value addition and increase household incomes.
The President noted that the government is delivering 12 bulk milk coolers in Murang’a County to serve more than 3,600 dairy farmers, with a combined capacity to aggregate about 37,000 litres of milk daily.
In Kandara Constituency, he laid the foundation stone for the 1,000-capacity Kabati Modern Market, and later inspected the Sabasaba Modern Market in Maragua Constituency, which is expected to accommodate 200 traders.
He also launched the construction of the Kangari-Gacharage road, reiterating his administration’s commitment to completing ongoing and stalled infrastructure projects.
On agriculture, Ruto highlighted reforms in the coffee sector, saying farm-gate prices had risen significantly in recent years.
He added that Kenya had secured access to the Chinese market, opening new export opportunities for coffee, tea, macadamia, avocado and dairy products.
As the tour concluded, the brief “Kasongo” moment remained one of the most talked-about highlights, offering a rare comic pause in an otherwise development-focused visit.
William Ruto, the President of Kenya, has been actively engaging with local communities to address development needs and fulfill promises made during his campaigns. His recent visit to Murang’a County included discussions on infrastructure, agriculture, and market development, reflecting the government’s focus on enhancing local economies. Ruto’s light-hearted moments during speeches often resonate with the public, showcasing his approachable leadership style.
The slip of the tongue incident is a reminder of the human side of political figures, often creating memorable moments that connect leaders with their constituents. Such interactions are crucial in maintaining public support and trust
