'It's my job to know all parts of Kenya,' Ruto responds to viral road mastery videos

If there’s one person you wouldn’t want to challenge in a game of “name that road,” it would probably be President William Ruto.

Ruto, on Thursday, declared his deep knowledge of Kenya’s roads—not just those in his backyard but the dusty paths of northern Kenya, the winding highways of Central, and probably even shortcuts that Google has yet to discover. 

Addressing his critics, the President defended his familiarity with the country's road network, saying it’s his job to know them. 

"I fairly know many places. I would tell you the roads in Northern Kenya the way I would tell you the ones in Central, Western, and many parts of the country. And it is because this is my job…It is the job I applied for,” he said in a short video clip seen by The Standard. 

.

Keep Reading business

•  BAT to pay Sh50 dividend despite 19pc profit dip
•  Appetite for Kenya's 'green gold' spawns new crop of millionaires Premium
•  Policy Statement promises nothing unusual in CS Mbadi's first Budget Premium
•  UNGA President Yang backs Equity's plan to boost youth innovation
•  Why you may not escape paying toll fees on major roads and highways Premium

'Itoke Mandera, Iteremke Modogashe’: Ruto Defends Knowledge of Kenyan Towns Amid Mockery pic.twitter.com/Hz5Pkc1an2 — The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) February 20, 2025

His remarks followed a viral TikTok trend in which users remixed his speech announcing road projects in North Eastern Kenya into catchy beats and dance challenges.

Ruto’s rhythmic delivery of the road’s route—"Ndio barabara itoke Mandera, ikuje Ramu, ikuje Garre, ikuje El-Wak, ikuje Kobo, ikuje pale Kotulo, ikuje Tarbat, ipitie hapa Wajir, iende Samatan, iteremke Modogashe, ifike Isiolo, iende Nairobi..."—quickly became an internet sensation.

The trend has quickly spread across social media, with users creating humorous skits and musical remixes.

With a relaxed demeanor and a chuckle, Ruto appeared unfazed, defending his mastery of Kenyan roads with a touch of humor.

But beyond the laughs, Ruto used the moment to make a serious point: his role, he said, is to ensure development reaches every corner of the country and that no region feels neglected.

"This is the job I applied for; to think about the country and know what to do to ensure no one in the country is left behind," he added.

 So, next time you are lost on a Kenyan road, don’t panic. Just ask yourself: 'WWRD?—What Would Ruto Do'? Chances are, he already knows.