How Ruto balanced diplomacy and development

This week, President William Ruto's schedule was notably quieter than usual, with fewer public engagements and more time spent in Nairobi.

However, with the relatively low-key agenda, his activities had significant regional and global implications.

From advancing Kenya's clean energy goals to facilitating peace talks in the East African region.

Here is the summary.

February 19 (Wednesday)

On Wednesday, he witnessed the signing of the contract for improved access to electricity through mini-grid and stand-alone solar systems under the Kenya off-grid solar access project.

The Sh10 billion off-grid solar access project seeks to increase access to affordable energy, particularly in remote and rural parts of Northern Kenya, powering the growth of enterprises and expansion of economic opportunities for all.

The project, Ruto said, furthers our goal to universal electricity coverage by 2030 and 100 per cent transition to clean energy, catalysing sustainable, equitable and inclusive growth.

It will be funded jointly by the World Bank and the African Development Bank and set to benefit 14 counties.

They are Garissa, Isiolo, Kilifi, Kwale, Lamu, Mandera, Marsabit, Narok, Samburu, Taita Taveta, Tana River, Turkana, Wajir and West Pokot.

The same day at State House, he held talks with the UN General Assembly President Philémon Yang.

He congratulated him for his stewardship that led to the adoption of the Pact of the Future.

Ruto pointed out that the adoption of the United Nations Pact of the Future in 2024 will help reposition the global agency to deal with the challenges of global governance and an unfair international financial architecture.

"It is also crucial to reform the UN Security Council to make it more representative and more democratic as it makes crucial decisions," he said.

Kenya, he added, will work with the Committee of 10, that is advocating reform of the UN Security Council, to ensure that Africa achieves fair representation.

Later in the day, he received a high-level delegation from President Felix Tshisekedi of the Democratic Republic of Congo to discuss the escalating situation in Eastern DRC.

Ruto is the current East African Community (EAC) chairperson.

The meeting discussed the options on the way forward as agreed during the Joint Summit of EAC-SADC in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and the African Union Peace and Security Council meeting in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

The delegation was led by MP and former Deputy Prime Minister Lambert Mende. Others were President Tshisekedi's High Representative Sambu Mambu, Public Works minister Alexis Gisaro and Trade minister Julien Paluku.

February 20 (Thursday)

President Ruto met the opposition hold-out group of South Sudan.

He said, at the request of the South Sudan Government delegation they agreed that the mediation process that has been going on in Nairobi adjourns until March 2025 to facilitate consultations that will inform the way forward.

At the request of President Salva Kiir Mayardit, Kenya has been facilitating the mediation process for the past 11 months in an effort to resolve the political stalemate that has resulted in a serious humanitarian situation and difficult security challenges.

The delegation was led by General Pagan Amum. 

Others were Gen Paul Malong, Gen Stephen Buoy, Gen Mario Lada, Mr Lual Dau and Dr Cirinho Hiteng.

At State House, he also hosted European Union Special Envoy to the Great Lakes Region Johan Borgstam and European Union Ambassador to Kenya Henriette Geiger.

Kenya has a long-standing history of providing expertise, skills and resources in finding solutions to complex conflicts in Africa. 

Ruto reiterated his support for the resolutions of the Joint Summit of the EAC-SADC and the African Union Peace and Security Council stating that dialogue among the parties is the way out of the current crisis.

February 21 (Friday)

He joined the family of Senate speaker Amason Kingi during the funeral of his father Mzee Kingi Mwaruwa in Magarini, Kilifi County.

In his address, he described the late Mwaruwa as a great community leader and family man.

From his humble beginning in Kamale Village in Magarini, Mzee inspired many Kenyans; undoubtedly, he has left behind an indelible mark in our country, he said.