Speaking on October 6, Ruto narrated that he travelled to Ethiopia with the main aim of getting a licence for Safaricom to operate in the country.
He expressed that the two were engaged in negotiations for hours adding that a deal was brokered at the last minute as the PM was a tough negotiator.
The head of state described his trip to Ethiopia as an assignment given by Kenyans, wondering what measures he would have adopted if the PM’s administration declined to grant the mobile operator a licence.
Photo: TWITTER WILLIAM RUTO
“When I made my speech earlier, we did not have a deal. When I left Nairobi this morning, I had an assignment from the people of Kenya to go back with a licence. It was my first assignment (as President).
“In the better part of the morning, I engaged a very difficult person. The people of Ethiopia are lucky. You have a genius for a leader. I know that I try. I am good but he is better. On my behalf, I want to thank the PM for saving my job,” Ruto stated as the delegates burst into laughter.
The President underlined the importance of the telecommunication deal noting that it would be beneficial for both countries.
Cooperation between the two nations, he added, would grow the economy and help bridge the gap in mobile transactions in Ethiopia.
On his part, PM Abiy expressed the intention of his administration to boost trade corporations with Ruto’s government.
Ruto travelled to Ethiopia on Thursday, October 6, for the official launch of Safaricom.
He was accompanied by key allies, CS nominees Aden Duale (Defence), Moses Kuria (Trade), Davis Chirchir (Energy) and security advisor, Monica Juma.
