President William Ruto has responded to criticism about his frequent trips abroad, saying the travels are part of his duties as Head of State and not holidays, as some people have suggested.

Speaking to Kenyans living in Scandinavia during a town hall meeting in Helsinki, Finland, Ruto said he had seen the headlines back home and wanted to clear the air.

“I was looking at one of the headlines in the newspaper that William Ruto is travelling again. I wish they knew the kind of schedule that I have. I have not come here as a tourist or to waste time, I have come here to make sure we have achieved certain things. Just for the record, I am the chief diplomat of our country. People want to know what Kenya stands for,” he said.

The President said that for Kenya to remain relevant on the world stage, he needs to regularly meet with foreign partners, investors, and Kenyans living abroad, and that these trips are about growing the country’s economy and trade relationships.

His comments come as Kenyans continue to question how much money is being spent on his international trips.

A report by the Controller of Budget covering July 2025 to March 2026 showed that State House was the second biggest spender on foreign travel after the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, having used Ksh 1.3 billion on trips abroad and Ksh 69 million on local travel in that period.

The Office of the Deputy President spent Ksh 76 million on foreign travel and Ksh 222 million on travel within the country over the same period.

President Ruto arrived back in Kenya last night after visiting three European countries; Belgium, Norway, and Finland.