By John Mutiso
President William Ruto on Wednesday met with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva in Washington, D.C, USA.
In a statement on Thursday, December 4, President Ruto said they discussed ways to deepen collaboration between Kenya and the IMF to strengthen the reform agenda and maintain the country’s economic momentum.
The Head of State also said they agreed to forge a partnership between Kenya and the IMF built on transparency, understanding, and a shared commitment to sound economic governance.
“In Washington, D.C., held productive discussions with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva on broadening avenues of collaboration to bolster our reform agenda and sustain our economic momentum.
“We have agreed to forge a forward-looking partnership, built on transparency, mutual understanding, and a shared commitment to sound economic governance,” Ruto stated.
The President noted that the IMF has proven to be a reliable and constructive partner in Kenya’s journey of economic transformation over the years.
He mentioned that Kenya’s continued engagement with the IMF has provided invaluable expertise in the management of its external debt and delivered critical technical assistance across key sectors of our economy.
“Through the dedicated support of our international partners, including the IMF, Kenya’s economy has recorded notable progress, rising from the eighth to the sixth-largest on the continent in just two years,” Ruto added.
The President also met with International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) CEO Ben Black in Washington, D.C.
In an update, Ruto welcomed DFC’s willingness to increase its scope of engagement with Kenya in the areas of food security, infrastructure, energy and ICT.
“We also see room for joint work in infrastructure development, including the expansion of key roads, ports and the modernisation of Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. DFC is also keen to invest in our proposed National Infrastructure Fund, which will help accelerate strategic projects across the country.
“To further support our engagements, DFC has agreed to send a representative to be based in Nairobi from January 2026,” he remarked.
Further, President Ruto held talks with International Finance Corporation Managing Director Makhtar Diop and discussed partnership in the infrastructure and generation and transmission of geothermal, hydro and wind power.
President Ruto arrived in Washington D.C on Wednesday on the invitation of US President Donald Trump.
Ruto is set to join Rwanda’s President Paul Kagame and Democratic Republic of Congo’s (DRC) President Félix Tshisekedi for the signing of a new peace agreement, ending decades of conflict in Eastern DRC.
According to State House, the deal builds on the Nairobi and Luanda processes and the joint EAC-SADC initiative, bringing all key actors together to unlock progress on security and humanitarian priorities.
“At the invitation of President Donald J. Trump, President William Ruto departs this afternoon for Washington, D.C., in the U.S.A. to join President Paul Kagame and President Félix Tshisekedi in witnessing the official signing of the DRC-Rwanda Peace Agreement; the most significant breakthrough in addressing decades of conflict in Eastern DRC,” State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed said.
During the visit, President Ruto will also participate in engagements focused on advancing Kenya’s interests in trade, investment, health cooperation, and security.
The President will additionally witness the signing of a new Kenya-U.S. health cooperation framework.
