Ruto visit to the Seoul National Cemetery November 2022Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with Ruto, on the margins of the US–Africa Leaders Summit 2022
William Ruto attended his first UNGA meeting as president in 2022. He addressed the General Debate on September 21, with a focus on debt relief and climate change.[3] William Ruto also had the following meetings on the sidelines with:
Along with these meetings, President Ruto also attended the: US-Kenya Business Forum, United Nations Development Programme’s Africa Investment Partnership Forum and a state dinner hosted by US president Joe Biden[10]
William Ruto began his first regional tour and made a day trip to Addis to participate in the launch of Safaricom Kenya's Ethiopian subsidiary. The president also held bilateral talks with prime minister Abiy Ahmed.[11]
William Ruto made a two-day visit to Tanzania after attending Independence Day celebrations in Uganda. The trip is the final destination in the president's regional tour. The president held various bilateral meetings and addressed the state house along with his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan. Topics such as investments, infrastructure, security and movement of people were discussed.[13]
William Ruto attended the COP27 conference held in Egypt. President Ruto addressed the assembly and focused his speech on reforestation and green energy.[14] During the summit, William Ruto held a separate meeting with African leaders and held bilateral talks with various leaders on the sidelines of the summit: Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Esperança da Costa (Angola).[15][16]
Ruto also held bilateral talks with leaders of other countries and multi-lateral organizations:
Rishi Sunak – United Kingdom. The two ink deals worth $5bn in investments in Kenya.[17]
Separately the heads of state of the East Africa Community held a private roundtable with Angola to discuss the situation of the M23 offensive in the DRC[20]
William Ruto met with president Félix Tshisekedi at the state house in Kinshasa to discuss the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in the DRC against the M23 offensive.[21]
William Ruto held bilateral talks with President Yoon Suk-yeol to strengthen co-operation in ICT, education, pharmaceutical and infrastructure.[22] The president met with Kenyans living in South Korea and attended a business forum.
William Ruto held bilateral talks with President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki. The leaders discussed on how to increase trade and improve bilateral economic relations between the countries. The Duo also agreed to abolish visa requirements for its respective citizens.[23]
William Ruto met with president Emmanuel Macron and held bilateral talks. Talks about France's involvement in Infrastructure projects in Kenya along with potential funding for the East African Regional Force operating in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.[28]
Ruto along with various African leaders attended the Feed Africa Dakar 2 Summit. Ruto was a keynote speaker on Food, Sovereignty and Resilience. The summit hosted by the African Development Bank pledged to increase its investment in continental food production.[29] At the end of the summit, Ruto officially opened the Kenyan embassy in Senegal.[30]
Ruto along with all other heads of states (minus Salva Kiir of South Sudan) from the East African Community attended the emergency summit hosted by EAC chair Évariste Ndayishimiye in Bujumbura. The summit was focused on the evaluation of the security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.[31]
Ruto attended The 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue along with representatives from 90 other countries. Ruto was a keynote speaker where he declared Kenya's goal of attaining one hundred percent renewables for power supply by the year 2030.[34] After the conference also held bilateral talks with German chancellor Olaf Scholz.[35]
Ruto held bilateral talks with the prime minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo, where they discussed health, food security, drought response, climate action, trade and investment.[36] President of the European Council Charles Michel also held talks with Ruto.[37]
This was Ruto's first state visit to Rwanda since becoming president where he met Paul Kagame. Both leaders discussed various bilateral issues and signed various agreements. Both presidents signed and ratified East Africa One Area Network for Mobile.[38]
William Ruto made a day visit to Uganda to discuss with regional leaders at the "Heads of State Summit of the Troop Contributing countries to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia". Heads of state from Somalia, Djibouti, Burundi, and Ethiopia were all present along with the host Yoweri Museveni. With increasing conflicts in the area, Kenya is increasing its role to help stabilize the region.[39]
William Ruto attended the coronation of Charles III and Camilla along with various heads of states of the Commonwealth of Nations. On the sidelines, Ruto also held bilateral talks with various British investors to invest in Kenya.[40]
William Ruto attended the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Rotterdam to participate in a Strategic Dialogue on the Africa Climate Action Summit. After the summit, President Ruto held bilateral talks with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.[citation needed]
Ruto made his first state visit to Israel. Ruto first met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog and held bilateral talks before heading to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Along with various high-level delegates from both countries, the two leaders signed various agreements in cooperation in agriculture, trade, education and security. This is the first high level visit between both countries after Ruto changed Kenya's stance on voting for Israel at the United Nations.[41] After the visit, Ruto visited the World Holocaust Remembrance Center and the Western Wall for prayers.[42]
A summit was convened by Burundi and other prominent members of the East African community, aiming to address the involvement of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in the eastern region of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo had expressed its intention to terminate the force's mandate in peacekeeping amidst the M23 offensive. As part of the summit's proceedings, the forces mandate was extended and Aphaxxard Muthuri was formally appointed as the new force commander.[44]
Ruto attended the Intergovernmental Authority on Development ordinary summit where the countries tried to deliberate the situation in the ongoing Sudan conflict. The members agreed to attempt to have direct talks with the Sudanese generals.[46] Before the summit, Ruto met with Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, president of Djibouti and held bilateral talks. They established the Kenya-Djibouti business council and Ruto declared the abolishment of visa requirements for Djibouti citizens to Kenya.[47]
Ruto attended the 111th Annual International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva. Ruto delivered a keynote speech at the conference. Prior to the speech, he also held bilateral talks with the Gilbert F Houngbo, the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation.[48][49]
France
Paris
22–23 June
Global Pact Finance Summit
Details
Ruto participated in the Global Pact Finance summit held in Paris, France. This summit held significant importance for the Ruto administration, as the president persistently advocated for the establishment of new Multilateral Finance Institutions amidst foreign exchange shortages prevalent across the global south due to the strengthening US dollar.[50] Furthermore, Ruto took the opportunity to engage with Parisian youth at Champ de Mars during the Global Citizen Festival, where he discussed climate policies and extended an invitation to attend the Africa Climate Summit scheduled to take place in Nairobi in September.[51]
Ruto was a guest of honor at the 48th independence anniversary of the Comoros islands. Ruto was invited by president Azali Assoumani where they held bilateral talks in increased economic co-operation. Ruto announced the abolition of tourist visas of Comoros citizens to Kenya by the end of 2023 and encouraged them to apply to join the East African Community. After the ceremony, Ruto was honored with the highest award in Comoros the Grand Cross of the Green Crescent of the Comoros.[52][53]
Ruto presided over a Kenya-Congolese business forum along with counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso. After this event the two presidents signed various MoUs in trade and investment, energy, ICT, transport, security, education, tourism, culture, agriculture, and the blue economy. Ruto announced that Kenya will abolish tourist visa requirements for citizens of the Republic of Congo. Ruto also announced the resumption of Kenya airways flights along with the fast track of opening a resident mission in Brazzaville.[54][55] Ruto also visited president Nguesso's private farm where he held talks with Central African Republic president Faustin-Archange Touadéra.[56]
World Bank Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit
Details
Ruto attended the Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit hosted by Samia Suluhu in Dar es Salaam. The summit was attended by several African heads of state.[58]
Ruto made a two day state visit to Mozambique, where he held bilateral talks with his counterpart Filipe Nyusi. Several MoUs were signed between the two countries and both leaders also attended the Mozambique-Kenya business investment forum.[59]
Ruto made a 10 day visit to the united states where he attended several events promoting Kenya and Kenyan businesses before he concluded his visit by attended the United Nations General Assembly.
September 18, Ruto officially opened a Kenyan restaurant in New Jersey named Swahili Village.[62]
September 19, Ruto met with Millennium Challenge Corporation CEO, Alice Albright to sign a US$60m program to help electrify busses that operate in Nairobi.[62]
On the sidelines of the UNGA summit, president Ruto held bilateral talks with various foreign heads of states such as:
President of Albania, Bajram Begaj and encouraged him to open an embassy in Kenya.[63]
President of Slovakia, Zuzana Čaputová, and discussed supporting Kenya's E-mobility along with growing partnerships to enhance Kenya's fertiliser production and cybersecurity capacity.[63]
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen of Denmark along with Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson of Sweden to discuss supporting peace initiatives in the Horn of Africa.[63]
Vice President of The Gambia, Muhammad Jallow
President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, to committing to establishing a grain hub in the Port of Mombasa to address food shortage in East Africa.[65]
President of the Dominican Republic, Luis Abinader, where both leaders agreed on various bilateral trade agreements along with Dominican assistance to the Kenyan UN mission to Haiti.[67]
President of Cuba, Miguel Díaz-Canel, where continued cooperation was discussed in the healthsector between the two countries along with assistance to the Kenyan UN mission to Haiti[67]
On September 20, Haiti and Kenya declared they had established diplomatic relations on the sidelines of the UNGA summit. President Ruto discussed with various world leads on the possibility of Kenya leading a United Nations-backed security force to help fight escalating gang violence in Haiti. President Ruto and Haiti Prime Minister Ariel Henry witnessed the signing of the agreement.[62]
Ruto made his way to Beijing to participate in the tenth-anniversary summit of the Belt and Road Initiative. On the inaugural day, Ruto engaged in discussions with numerous prominent figures in the Chinese industry. During this time, Kenya and China's Energy International Group formalized a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting investments in renewable energy within Kenya. Furthermore, Ruto held meetings with the leadership of the Chinese telecommunication company, Huawei, resulting in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding to expedite Kenya's digital transformation. On the sidelines of the Belt and Road Initiative summit, President Ruto engaged in talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.[70] Following the summit's conclusion, Ruto engaged in bilateral discussions with Chinese President Xi Jingping.[71][72]
Ruto made a trip to Saudi Arabia to attend the Saudi Future Investment Initiative summit. Before the sumitt Ruto held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.[73] Ruto gave a keynote address at the FII Summit.[74]
Ruto attended the Three Basins Summit hosted in Brazaville. During the summit, Ruto announced that Kenya will end visitor visa requirements to all African visitors by the end of the year.[75][76]
Ruto attended the inaugural Saudi Arabia – Africa summit along with various other heads of states from Africa. On the sidelines of the summit the president held talks with the following:
Ruto participated in the 5th G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Summit held in Berlin, Germany. During the summit, he engaged in discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on topics such as trade, investment, environmental conservation, and industrial promotion. Germany committed to providing assistance to further Kenya's initiatives in Haiti and promote peace in the Horn of Africa. Additionally, Ruto had meetings with World Bank President Ajay Banga and French President Emmanuel Macron.[80][81]
EAC High-Level Forum on Climate Change and Food Security
Details
Ruto attended the EAC High-Level Forum on Climate Change and Food Security along with all the heads of state of the East African Community in a closed door session in Arusha. Salva Kiir Mayardit took over the leadership of the Community and Somalia was added as an 8th member of the union.[83]
William Ruto attended the 42nd IGAD Extraordinary Summit. Issues on the Somalia-Ethiopia and the Sudan conflict were discussed.[87] After the IGAD Summit, he joined other Heads of State and Government for the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit.[88]
William Ruto made a 3 day state visit to Japan, 20 years after his predecessor Mwai Kibaki made a state visit to Japan in 2004.[91] President William Ruto signed several financial agreements during his visit to Japan, totaling Kenyan Sh350 billion. These agreements spanned various projects and programs. The major projects set to benefit from these agreements include the Dongo Kundu Infrastructure Ecosystem and the Mombasa Gateway Bridge. Additionally, Kenya will issue a KSh40 billion Samurai bond in Japan to finance energy and infrastructure projects, and secure KSh30 billion from the Japan Bank for International Cooperation to purchase heavy machinery and mechanized assets. Furthermore, KSh15 billion will be allocated to the Olkaria Geothermal Development Project, and KSh1 billion will be provided for the production of medical oxygen for various hospitals. The agreements also encompassed humanitarian aid of Kenyan Shilling Sh320 million for those affected by recent El Nino-related floods. President Ruto and Prime Minister Fumio Kushida agreed on the modalities of financing national development and signed a PPP framework between the two governments.[92]
The governments also signed an agreement on Defence Cooperation, which makes Kenya the first African country to sign a defence pact with Japan.[93]
William Ruto attended the World Governments Summit. He was invited to deliver a keynote speech where he talked about increased accountability in public spending.[94]
Met President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa.[97] On Sunday, February 18, William Ruto along with Samia Suluhu and other regional leaders were present during the unveiling of a new statue of the former Tanzanian President the Late Julius Nyerere at the African Union.[98]
William Ruto had a meeting with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni at his country home in Kisozi, Uganda. Raila Odinga along with delegation also attended the meeting. The meeting primarily focused on issues pertaining to energy and petroleum.[100]
William Ruto made a three date state visit to Ghana where he was received by his counterpart, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo. Both leaders discussed bilateral relations between the two countries and signed several MoUs. Ruto asked for Ghana's support for Raila Odinga's bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission. President Ruto was also awarded Ghana's highest honour, The Companion of the Order of the Star of the Volta.[102][103][104]
William Ruto made a state visit to Guinea-Bissau where he was received by his counterpart President Umaro Sissoco Embaló. This marked the first state visit by the Kenyan head of state to the country. Both leaders held bilateral talks and Ruto was also awarded the highest medal in Guinea-Bissau the Amílcar Cabral Medal. President Ruto pledged to initiate direct flights between the two countries.[105][106]
William Ruto made a 10 hour stop over in Malabo after his return from his state visit in Guinea-Bissau. He was received by Vice President Teodoro Nguema Obiang Mangue at the presidential palace. Both leaders held bilateral talks and the president requested Equatorial Guinea's support for Raila Odinga's bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.[107]
William Ruto made a stop over from his return trip from West Africa. He was received by his CAR counterpart President Faustin-Archange Touadéra. It was the first time a Kenyan head of state had visited the country. Both leaders held talks and Ruto requested Central African Republic's support for Raila Odinga's bid for the chairmanship of the African Union Commission.[108]
William Ruto made a two day state visit to Zimbabwe. President Ruto held bilateral talks with his counterpart Emmerson Mnangagwa at the state house in Bulawayo. Both leaders attended the 64th Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF), where Ruto the guest of honor, officially opened the Trade Fair.[110][111] President Ruto also managed to get the support of Zimbabwe for Raila Odinga's 2025 AU Chairmanship bid.[112]
Rwanda
Kigali
17–18 May
Africa CEO Forum
Details
Ruto attended the Africa CEO Forum hosted by Jeune Afrique Media Group in partnership with the International Finance Corporation, part of the World Bank Group. On the sidelines of the summit, President Ruto held bilateral talks with Rwandese President Paul Kagame. He also met with other business leaders such as Arab Bank Development in Africa Director-General Sidi Ould Tah; International Financial Corporation Managing Director Makhtar Diop; and MTN Chairperson Mcebisi Jonas.[113][114]
William Ruto made a three day state visit to the United States. This was his first state visit as head of state of Kenya. The visit had a very tight schedule and included the following:
On May 21 The visit began with Ruto going arriving in Atlanta. The first stop, the president visited The Jimmy Carter Library and Museum where he attended talks on Global Democracy.[115][116] After this, Ruto went to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, at the Centre for Disease Control Headquarters, President Ruto observed the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) between the CDC and the Kenya Medical Research Institute, the Ministry of Health, and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief. These agreements aim to develop a Roadmap for Kenya’s HIV Programme and formalize the Kenya National Public Health Institute.[117] Later, Ruto visited Spelman college where he gave a speech and signed a STEM agreement.[118] President Ruto visited Coca-Cola's headquarters and signed a framework agreement focused on policy engagement, mango juice production, and plastic recycling. This celebrated 70 years of Coca-Cola's operations in Kenya.[117]
On May 22, Ruto arrived in Washington D.C.In the morning President Ruto addressed the Congressional Black Caucus at the US Senate.[119] Following this, the President also meets various other senate leaders before heading to the White House to meet with President Joe Biden.[120] After the meeting, President Ruto visiting the Arlington Memorial Park.
On May 23, President Ruto returned to the White House where the State Arrival Ceremony was conducted. The two leaders discussed new agreements in Science, Trade and Financing. Also at the press conference, Biden mentioned that Kenya was going to be designated as a major non-NATO ally.[121] After the meeting, the President gave a speech on Shared Climate Solutions at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health.[122]
William Ruto attended the inaugural Korea-Africa Summit hosted by Yoon Suk Yeol. On the sidelines of the summit, the president held bilateral talks with Yeol. Korea agreed on a release of $485 million concessional development funding, including $238 million for the Konza Digital Media City Project. On the sidelines of the summit, Ruto held talks with:[123][124]
Along with meeting several members of the Korean business community, the president addressed the High Level Business Segment on Climate Change Response and Transition To Carbon-Free Energy.[125] President Ruto was a guest at the accession ceremony of Kenya joining the International Vaccine Institute.[126]
Ruto attended the 50th G7 summit as a guest in Apulia, Italy. On the sidelines of the summit, president Ruto held bilateral talks with:
Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, and secured their commitment to Kenya's bid for the African Union Chairmanship.[127]
Pope Francis, where they discussed the end of violence in Sudan and DRC.[128]
French President Emmanuel Macron, where they discussed several infrastructure projects including railway development and energy; as well as Kenya's mission to Haiti.
Ruto attended the Summit on Peace in Ukraine along with various world leaders. President Ruto held bilateral talks with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy on the sidelines of the peace summit.[129]
William Ruto along with various African Heads of State attended the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation hosted in China by President Xi Jinping. Ahead of the forum President Ruto held bilateral talks with Xi Jinping.[131] On the sidelines of the summit, Ruto held bilateral talks with several leaders such as:
William Ruto made a two day official visit to Germany. President Ruto signed a labor mobility and migration agreement with Germany during his two-day visit. The agreement also included provisions for enhanced educational and vocational opportunities for Kenyans in Germany. Additionally, Ruto promoted Kenya as an investment destination and met with the diaspora living in Germany. Kenya was also honored at Berlin's citizens' festival.[136][137]
Ruto visited the Kenyan police forces stationed in Haiti to assess the situation. He pledged to send additional forces to Haiti to bolster the mission. Ruto also announced that he supported turning the current Kenya-led security mission into a full United Nations peacekeeping operation.[138]
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United Kingdom
United States
Ethiopia
Uganda
Tanzania
Egypt
Democratic Republic of Congo
South Korea
Eritrea
France
Senegal
Burundi
Germany
Belgium
Rwanda
Netherlands
Israel
South Africa
Zambia
Djibouti
Switzerland
Comoros
Republic of Congo
Mozambique
China
Saudi Arabia
United Arab Emirates
India
Italy
Japan
Namibia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Equatorial Guinea
Central African Republic
Zimbabwe
Haiti