Molo MP Kuria Kimani Defends Ruto’s 84 Foreign Trips, Vows to Probe KPA Pension Failure

Molo Member of Parliament Kuria Kimani has defended President William Ruto’s extensive foreign travel record, saying the president’s foreign trips debate misses the concrete economic gains Kenya has secured through presidential diplomacy.

Kimani spoke to journalists in Mombasa on Monday after a public participation forum on the Finance Bill 2026 at Tononoka Social Hall.

His remarks came as President Ruto departed for Europe, bound for Belgium, Norway, and Finland. The trip has reignited debate over his travel record, which now stands at 84 international trips during his first 1,000 days in office.

“If you consider these travels that the President is making, they are very important for our country,” Kimani said. “One of them is to make trade conventions.”

Ruto’s Travel Record Under Scrutiny

President Ruto has visited 45 cities in 38 countries since taking office. He has spent a cumulative 156 days abroad. His travel tally exceeds that of former President Uhuru Kenyatta, who made 53 international trips during the same period.

Critics have questioned the cost implications and frequency of President William Ruto’s international travel. According to reports, the President has undertaken numerous foreign trips aboard privately chartered VIP jets, citing the unavailability of the presidential aircraft, which has reportedly been grounded for extended periods.

Kimani rejected the criticism. He cited the Iran tea export agreement as a key achievement of the President’s diplomacy. He said the deal opened a new market for Kenyan tea.

“If the President hadn’t travelled to Iran and held those discussions, then we wouldn’t have that market for tea,” Kimani said.

He also pointed to the removal of visa requirements for Kenyans travelling to South Africa.
“Kenyans can now go to South Africa without a visa, whereas previously they were required to have one,” he said.

Finance Bill Changes and Public Participation

Meanwhile, Kimani assured residents that Parliament would consider views collected during public participation on the Finance Bill 2026.

He said Kenyans would soon compare their submissions with the final amendments proposed in Parliament.

“Time will vindicate us. Once the report is tabled, Kenyans will see that the changes proposed during public participation have been considered,” he said.

Kimani said public participation remains a constitutional requirement that shapes legislation.
“We will ensure that public participation is not an exercise in futility. The views presented by Kenyans will appear in our reports and proposed amendments,” he added.

KPA Pensioners to Get Committee Hearing

Kimani also addressed concerns raised by former Kenya Ports Authority workers over delayed pension payments.

He confirmed that the Finance and National Planning Committee would summon KPA stakeholders after Parliament concludes budget deliberations.

“I can guarantee the people of Mombasa that we will investigate the matter and establish why KPA has not paid some pensioners,” Kimani said.

He argued that pensioners should receive their benefits without delay because employers deduct pension contributions throughout a worker’s career.

“This is money that was deducted from their salary. There should be no reason why someone reaches retirement and finds their pension unavailable,” he said.

Kimani pledged to identify the cause of the delays and help secure a solution for affected pensioners.