'Fish diplomacy:' Ruto serves up politics and tilapia in Homa Bay

President William Ruto joins fish traders at Homa Bay Beach on August 12, 2025. [PCS]

President William Ruto traded his presidential motorcade for a jiko on Tuesday evening, rolling up his sleeves to fry tilapia with women traders at Homa Bay Beach.

Fresh from a meeting with grassroots women leaders from four Nyanza counties, Ruto strolled to the shoreline, where sizzling oil, laughter, and the aroma of fresh catch hung in the air.

With two frying pans balanced over glowing charcoal and Ohangla music playing in the background, the president rubbed each fish with salt before sliding it into bubbling oil.

"Wakae pamoja?" (Should they be together?) he asked playfully, earning giggles from the crowd. When told his frying technique was impressive, he responded with a cheerful 'Erokamano', meaning thank you in dholuo.

President William Ruto cooked fish at Homa Bay Beach, Tuesday evening, ahead of the Devolution Conference. pic.twitter.com/D7vYuDKMo5

- The Standard Digital (@StandardKenya) August 13, 2025

Women leaders clapped and teased, "Today we're eating fish cooked by you," as Ruto flipped the golden-brown tilapia. He managed about five before announcing he would return when they were ready, leaving the beach to applause and amused chatter.

The lighthearted cameo came ahead of the 9th Devolution Conference, themed 'For the People, For Prosperity.'

President William Ruto assisted by Homa Bay Governor Wanga to fry fish on August 12, 2025. [PCS]

Online, reactions ranged from praise to eye-rolls.

Lawyer Miguna Miguna called it "extremely stupid" to promote deep-frying, warning it destroys Omega-3 fatty acids and adds unhealthy calories. "Deep frying destroys Omega-3 fatty acids, which are beneficial to humans. Most of the time, the oil is dirty. Frying adds unnecessary calories and poses numerous health risks. Kenyans must stop these horrific practices," he wrote on X.

X user P Krazinski gushed that no other president would dare fry fish with Kenyans. "President Ruto is the best thing that could happen for Kenyans. Moi, Kibaki, or Uhuru would not have tried to fry a fish for dinner, being cheered off by ordinary Kenyans."

Another user, Nyambura Ndung'u, dismissed the stunt, saying she'd rather see strategies to lower fuel prices. "We want him working on strategies that would reduce fuel, reduce motorbike taxes, reduce China fish imports, and reduce frying oil."

President William Ruto assisted by trader at Homa Bay Beach to sample fish for frying. [PCS]

But Mary Njoroge took it in stride, saying, "I will not laugh at Luos for being happy because Ruto helped a lady to fry fish in 2021 when he visited Mt Kenya. It is your turn, my brothers, be strong...letu jicho tu."

Pre-conference activities yesterday included boat races, wrestling, and rounds of Ajua, but Ruto's beachside cooking stole the show.