President William Ruto has embarked on a diplomatic charm offensive to persuade global partners to support key pillars of the Kenya Kwanza agenda.
The President left Nairobi on Sunday morning for the United Kingdom and the United States. He is scheduled to hold talks with world leaders.
The State House said Ruto is scheduled to attend a reception hosted by King Charles III for world leaders at Buckingham Palace on his arrival in the United Kingdom.
He will join other leaders from across the world at the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey on Monday.
The President on Monday evening will proceed to the United States for the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
Ruto is scheduled to make his maiden presidential address at UNGA on Wednesday.
After the UNGA address, Ruto is slated to join world leaders at a reception hosted by US President Joe Biden, which would mark the end of his tour.
He will depart for Nairobi that same Wednesday evening after attending the reception hosted by the US President,” State House said.
The meetings will to bring him close to the world’s influential leaders, putting him in a strong pole position to push for his agenda.
“Strengthening ties with the international community will catalyse the transformation of our country,” President Ruto said in a tweet on Sunday.
He is also scheduled to hold bilateral talks with UN Secretary General António Guterres, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, President of the 77th session of the General Assembly Csaba Kőrösi, and Slovakian President Zuzana Čaputová.
Ruto is also set for talks with Central African Republic President Faustin-Archange Touadéra and European Commission President Ursula Gertrud von der Leyen, among other world leaders.
He was accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto, his Foreign Policy Adviser Ababu Namwamba, Economic Adviser David Ndii, PS Health Susan Mochache, and PS Education Julius Jwan.
Also on the President's trip are Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro, his Garissa counterpart Aden Duale and Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen.
State House did not give the specific agendas that the President and his team would discuss with the global leaders.
But the composition of the entourage could give a glimpse of the issues Ruto may want to take up as he builds his foreign policy.
Murkomen is tipped for appointment as Infrastructure Cabinet secretary and could be included in the trip owing to the massive US interests in Kenya’s expanding infrastructure.
The US has been central in the planned construction of the Nairobi-Mombasa Expressway, a project that would see the road expanded to three lanes to ease the flow of traffic.
Highways authority KeNHA is yet to assign the multi-billion shilling project contract which US firms — Bechtel and US Capital Investment Company Everstrong — have expressed interest.
Kenya is also a recipient of significant aid from the United States not only for national security and economic impetus but also largely for health.
The US has invested millions of dollars to support Kenya’s education, environment, rule of law, and democratic governance sectors.
On health, the US is supporting efforts to contain the Covid-19 pandemic and is among the major donors of vaccines, equipment as well as support on testing, training and research.
America also supports water, sanitation, education, employment, and food security projects in the country and is the main donor of most HIV response projects.
A statement by the US delegation to Ruto’s inauguration, which included US Trade Representative Katherine Tai showed the two countries are keen on enhancing two-way trade and investment.
“Ambassador Tai expressed the US’ appreciation and support for Kenya’s leadership on regional peace and security challenges,” the delegation said after meeting Ruto.
“Kenya and the USA share a long history of social and economic partnership in areas such as health, trade and security,” Ruto said after meeting the Tai-led US delegation.
State House said the President is set to meet select members of the American Business Community during the tour.
Ruto’s first days in office have been marked with endless meeting with diplomatic delegations keen on pitching their ideas with Nairobi.
The President met leaders and delegations from South Korea, Serbia, Cuba, Kingdom of Morocco, Egypt, Algeria, France, Congo, South Sudan, Somalia, Eswatini, and Germany.