Are Ruto’s foreign trips helping to rebuild our economy?

By: Joseph Mutua Ndonga

Worth Noting:

• He started this trip by attending the burial of Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom. He got an opportunity to talk with King Charles who took over from his deceased mother.
• In the recent summit that brought together 49 head of states from Africa continent, Dr Ruto did not mince his words. He told the US President Joe Biden, the host, that Africa is endowed with a huge skilled labour and green energy potential.
• In the other hand, we know that the US is endowed with capital and know-how. This should form the basis of our partnership and engagements. This means the US will longer look Africa as a destination market for their commodities and manufactured goods. Africa should now become an investment destination.

Since he assumed the reign of power, President William Ruto has made several foreign trips with latest being to the United States of America [USA]. These trips have been eliciting mixed reactions here in Kenya and, as a political analyst; my attention would be drawn to the opinions of his critics.  While referring them as ‘luxurious global-trotting’, the critics believed that they were not adding any value to our economy.

I disagree. Let me explain why? First, Kenya is a developing country and this explains why it badly needs to partner and build linkages with the developed and industrialized nations. Without this, it is not possible to realize its full economic potential.

Having served as a deputy President for 10 years, President Ruto was privy to this. So, he could not lose these opportunities whenever the world leaders invited him to attend high profile meetings and summits.

In the first meeting in US, he addressed the session of United Nation General Assembly [UNGA] during which he eloquently articulated Kenya’s interest. This prompted many of these nations to make financial commitments to support Kenya in various sectors, including health, education, climate change mitigation, security and infrastructure.

He started this trip by attending the burial of Queen Elizabeth of United Kingdom. He got an opportunity to talk with King Charles who took over from his deceased mother.

In the recent summit that brought together 49 head of states from Africa continent, Dr Ruto did not mince his words. He told the US President Joe Biden, the host, that Africa is endowed with a huge skilled labour and green energy potential. In the other hand, we know that the US is endowed with capital and know-how. This should form the basis of our partnership and engagements. This means the US will longer look Africa as a destination market for their commodities and manufactured goods. Africa should now become an investment destination.

In response, the US made several commitments to support Kenya in her endeavors. President Ruto invited Biden to visit Kenya. Though this was immediately confirmed by White House, Biden left no doubt that he is ready to honor his invitation.

In the US, Dr Ruto was also given a chance to ring the New York Stock Exchange [NYSE] closing bell. This was a rare occasion as this opportunity is given leaders who have earned international recognition. In Africa, it is only President Nelson Mandela of SA who had been given this chance.

It should be recalled that former president Uhuru Kenyatta made similar trips after winning the 2013 polls. Coming at a time when he and Dr William Ruto, who was then the Deputy, were facing charges at the International Criminal Court [ICC], the trips helped to rebuild diplomatic ties with the West.

This paved the way for many world leaders including US President Barrack Obama, the Prime minister of Italy, President of France and Pope Francis, the head of Catholic Church in the world, to visit Kenya.

During the visits, President Uhuru signed numerous agreements that were tailor-made to roll out mega development projects in Kenya.

Back to Ruto, the benefits supersede by far the cost of the trips. He has been travelling a lean delegation. This was normal because apart from reaffirming the position of president these officials were required to sign the final agreements.

So, contrary to Raila’s critics, Ruto’s efforts have borne a lot of fruits. Kenya is now one of the leading economies in Africa. The critics were yet to accept that Ruto is the President of Kenya.

This is despite the Supreme Court hearing their petition and ruling that it lacked sufficient evidence to nullify Dr Ruto’s victory. As a result, the judges in a unanimous decision upheld the declaration by IEBC chairman Wafula Chebukati of Ruto as the president-elect, paving the way for his swearing-in.

As we know, DRC Congo is endowed with vast minerals and natural resources. So, by visiting this country, there is no doubt that Ruto’s key mission was to explore ways of how Kenya can benefit.

In South Korea, he signed key agreements that were meant to transform Kenya in a big way. This was in the areas of technology, blue economy, shipping and creation of jobs. He also secured markets for our tea and horticulture.

In Korea, he cracked a joke. Do I look like a tourist? I’m here for serious business of looking opportunities for Kenyans. Let us support him.

Joseph Mutua Ndonga is a writer and political commentator based in Nairobi