24/09/2025
President Ruto honored in New York,
During his visit to New York for the 80th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA), President William Ruto of Kenya has been involved in several key activities:
UNGA Speech and International Relations:
President Ruto delivered a strong speech at the UNGA, demanding institutional reforms for the UN, IMF, and World Bank. He argued that these reforms are not a "favor to Africa" but are essential for the survival and relevance of the institutions themselves.
He specifically called for two permanent seats with veto power for Africa on the UN Security Council, in addition to two non-permanent seats.
In his address, he also spoke about the humanitarian situation in Gaza, calling for a permanent ceasefire and a two-state solution for Israel and Palestine.
On the issue of the Haiti Multinational Security Support (MSS) mission, President Ruto stated that the crisis "can and must be solved," while also highlighting the logistical and financial challenges the mission faces.
Bilateral Meetings and Economic Agenda:
On the sidelines of the UNGA, President Ruto has been holding bilateral talks with global leaders, development partners, and private sector executives. The goal of these meetings is to attract investments and secure partnerships for Kenya's Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA).
He also met with U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Prime Minister Mark Carney.
President Ruto was honored as a "Global Champion of Adequate Housing" in New York. He hosted a high-level breakfast on affordable housing with over 30 heads of state and government to promote housing as a driver of social transformation.
Public and Media Presence:
A video of President Ruto walking in the streets of New York with minimal security has gone viral, sparking debate among Kenyans online about the difference in security protocols compared to Nairobi.
His visit and activities have been extensively covered by various media outlets in Kenya and internationally.
