President Ruto Hosts Over 5,000 Nairobi Artisans at State House, Rolling Out Tools and Empowerment Programmes for Grassroots Businesses

President William Ruto on Thursday turned the grounds of State House in Nairobi into a hive of activity as he hosted more than 5,000 artisans from Nairobi County for what he described as an economic empowerment engagement aimed at uplifting grassroots workers and supporting micro-enterprises across the city. The event brought together welders, carpenters, tailors, mechanics, salon operators, barbers, food vendors, boda boda riders and other informal sector players drawn from the 17 constituencies of Nairobi, all of whom arrived early despite the morning chill to take part in the gathering.

The President was joined by a number of Nairobi Members of Parliament and county leaders who sat with the artisans throughout the session. Music and entertainment by some of the city’s popular DJs and artists kept the mood lively as participants waited to be addressed, with chants of support occasionally rising from different sections of the crowd. For many of those present, it was the first time they had set foot inside State House, and the atmosphere reflected a mixture of excitement, expectation and a sense that the government was directly engaging people who often feel left out of formal economic planning.

In his remarks, President Ruto framed the meeting as part of a broader agenda to make the economy work from the bottom up. He said artisans and small business operators form the backbone of Nairobi’s economy and that their ability to earn a decent living directly impacts the livelihoods of thousands of families who depend on them. He noted that the government’s role is to remove barriers, provide tools and create an enabling environment so that hustles can grow into sustainable businesses. The President stressed that empowerment is not a one-off event but a continuous process, and that his administration intends to keep rolling out similar programmes despite criticism from those he said had “lost touch with reality.”

A central part of the day was the distribution of equipment and tools tailored to the needs identified by the groups. The government, working with constituency offices, had earlier collected requests from the artisans and organized support accordingly. Hundreds of groups received tents and chairs to enable them to conduct events and hire out services, while others were given carwash stations, public address systems, catering equipment and motorbikes to expand delivery and transport services. Women’s groups were among the biggest beneficiaries, with dozens receiving sewing machines to support tailoring and garment making. Additional support included wood-cutting machines, posho mills, industrial ovens, welding equipment, juice vending machines, egg trolleys, pool tables, large-format printers, photography kits and rickshaws. The idea, officials explained, was to ensure that each group walked away with something that could immediately be put to use to generate income.

The President also used the forum to speak about other government programmes targeting Nairobi residents. He urged those in attendance to register with the Social Health Authority, saying the scheme was designed to ensure that families can access hospital services without having to pay out of pocket at the point of care. He warned health facilities against fraudulent practices and reminded the crowd that the government had set aside billions of shillings to ease the cost of treatment. On education, he announced that he was personally funding the construction of 250 classrooms in Nairobi, arguing that investment in learning infrastructure is essential for equality and long-term prosperity. He further revealed plans to employ more than 40,000 young people under the Climate WorX programme, a nationwide initiative aimed at combining environmental work with youth income opportunities.

Ruto defended the decision to host large delegations at State House, saying the official residence belongs to all Kenyans and should not be limited to diplomats and political elites. He quoted biblical principles to explain his “bottom-up” approach, saying the focus must be on lifting those at the base of the economic pyramid. Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale, who was present, echoed the sentiment, noting that he had been visiting State House since the Kibaki and Uhuru eras but had never seen such large numbers of ordinary citizens hosted there. The President insisted that making State House accessible was not about politics but about ensuring that government listens to and works with the people who voted for it.

The gathering of Nairobi artisans is the latest in a series of similar engagements that the Kenya Kwanza administration has held at State House and State Lodges across the country. In recent months, teachers, women’s groups, diaspora representatives, police sports teams and county leaders have all been received in similar forums. The approach has drawn both praise and criticism. Supporters argue that it brings government closer to the people and provides direct feedback channels, while critics have questioned the cost of hosting thousands of delegates and the timing of the meetings ahead of the 2027 elections. The Controller of Budget had earlier flagged emergency spending on hospitality and travel, warning that routine engagements should be properly budgeted for. The President, however, dismissed concerns about expenditure on tea and mandazi, saying he had no apologies for making government people-centred.

For the artisans, the immediate impact was tangible. Group representatives said the equipment would help them take on more jobs, hire additional workers and serve more clients. A carpenter from Embakasi said his group had been sharing one old saw and that the new tools would cut their production time in half. A group of women from Kibra who received sewing machines said they planned to start a joint workshop to supply school uniforms. Boda boda riders who were given motorbikes said the support would allow them to expand into courier services. Across the venue, conversations centered on how to organize the equipment, manage the groups and ensure accountability so that the support benefits the intended members.

The President closed by telling the crowd that economic independence is the goal of the empowerment programme and that government will continue to walk with them. He asked them to mobilize their communities, remain peaceful and focus on productivity. He also linked the initiative to national unity, saying that when people’s economic needs are addressed, political stability follows. As the event wound down, beneficiaries posed for photos with the tools they had received, while others lined up to thank the organizers. The scene underscored how State House has, under Ruto, become a regular venue for direct interaction between the presidency and grassroots constituencies.

In a city where the informal sector employs a significant portion of the working population, the engagement signaled the government’s intent to prioritize artisans as key drivers of jobs and services. Whether through equipment grants, health coverage, classroom construction or youth employment, the message from Saturday’s meeting was that Nairobi’s hustlers are central to the administration’s economic plan. The artisans left with tools in hand and a promise that more support would follow, even as the national debate continues about the best way to fund, implement and sustain such large-scale empowerment drives.