President William Ruto returned to Kenya on Sunday evening after a 10-day tour of the United States.
President Ruto’s visit to the United States was highlighted by his attendance in the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York.
Ruto paid a visit to Silicon Valley in San Francisco Bay, California, to promote Kenya as a major technology hub.
President William Ruto travelled to the United States on a mission to build international alliances and agreements that will influence the country’s destiny.
President Ruto has formally launched a Kenyan-themed restaurant called “Swahili Village” in the heart of New York.
The President heaped praise on the proprietor, Kevin Onyoni, saying he had done Kenya proud.
When President Ruto visited Silicon Valley in California, he invited American technology businesses to establish manufacturing operations and regional offices in Kenya, promising them of a favourable climate for technology and industrial investments.
Apple’s Tim Cook stated that the company will consider establishing a developer academy as well as tapping into Kenya’s green data centre potential, while Intel’s Gelsinger stated that the company views Kenya as a good investment destination. According to Microsoft’s Brad Smith, Kenya offers an exceptional return on investment and is an intriguing destination for American venture capital.
Google’s Ms Porat stated that the company has committed to investing USD 1 billion in Africa to strengthen its digital training and innovation programmes, of which Kenya would receive a portion.
President Ruto inked a Ksh8.7 billion ($59.2 million) agreement with the US foreign aid organisation Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) to purchase electric buses to alleviate traffic congestion in Nairobi.
This Project for Blended Finance for Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) aims to accelerate private finance for the procurement of electric (including alternative renewable energy) buses.
On the fringes of the UNGA, President Ruto met with UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres.
President Ruto also met with Prime Minister Tradeau of Canada, US Secretary of State Blinken, Luis Abinader of the Dominican Republic, Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Cuba President Daz-Canel Bermdez, Switzerland President Alain Berset, President of Angola Joo Lourenço, Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni, and President of Kosovo Vjosa, among others.
They discussed potential future areas of collaboration, trade, green energy projects, food security, health care support, and the exchange of professional knowledge with all of these leaders.
Haiti and Kenya formalised diplomatic ties on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly meeting in New York, amid widespread speculation about Kenya leading a United Nations-backed multinational security force to assist police in combating growing gang violence in Haiti.
The commitment was mentioned and praised by none other than US Vice President Joe Biden.
