President William Ruto addressing Kenyans living in Egypt during his state visit/HANDOUT Kenya’s greatest asset is her skilled human capital, President William Ruto has said.
Speaking on Thursday during a meeting with Kenyans living in Egypt the Head of State said Kenyans are renowned for their hard work and innovation globally.
“Kenya's greatest asset is its knowledgeable, skilled, and experienced human capital.”
Due to the peculiar trait, Ruto said, Kenyans are in high demand in many parts of the world, and this has made their numbers in the diaspora a critical part of the country's economic growth.
“As a result, Kenyans in the diaspora are playing a crucial role in our economy, remitting more than $4.94 billion in 2024. Undoubtedly, they have become our largest foreign exchange earners,” Ruto said.
Ruto has been in Egypt on a two-day state visit.
When he arrived on Wednesday, he was received by his Egyptian counterpart Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi at the headquarters of the Presidency of the Arab Republic of Egypt, Heliopolis.
He was also accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Environment), Lee Kinyanjui (Trade), Eric Mugaa (Water) and Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh, among others.
Kenya’s African Union Commission (AUC) candidate, Raila Odinga, was also part of the delegation.
President Ruto has pronounced himself severally on his push to create more job opportunities for Kenyans abroad.
Recently more than 900 male recruits from Kericho county have successfully secured employment in the building and construction industry in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
This happened after the recruits successful two-day hiring exercise held at the Kericho Township Technical and Vocational College (KERITTVC).
Further on job creation, the president in July 2024, said the government has so far constructed 103,000 housing units across the country which will aid his plan to create more jobs for Kenyans.
Ruto noted that Kenya and Egypt are keen on expanding diplomatic, trade, and cooperative ties, which have evolved over the past six decades.
As of last year, a report shows that Kenyans living and working abroad increased the money they send home by $18.7 million. (Sh2.4 billion between September and October 2024.)