State defends Ruto's overseas trips, cites billions in investment wins

President William Ruto’s administration has mounted a fresh defence of his frequent overseas trips, arguing that they are delivering billions of shillings in investment commitments.

President Ruto’s Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the visits have expanded export markets and new economic opportunities.

Mohamed dismissed critics of the foreign engagements as "short-sighted", insisting that the visits are part of a broader economic diplomacy strategy aimed at attracting investment, creating jobs and driving economic growth.

"The short-sighted see trips. Investors see partnerships, markets, jobs and growth," he said in a post that appeared designed to counter mounting criticism over the President's travel.

Mohamed’s reactions comes against growing criticism from opponents and sections of the public, accusing the President of extravagance while preaching austerity measures.

In the last one month, President Ruto has been to, among other capitals, Dar es Salaam, Baku, Astana, Pretoria and Brussels. He is expected to tour Oslo and Helsinki in his tour of the Nordic states

Foreign Affairs PS Korir Sing’oei argues that international engagement is crucial for attracting investment to Kenya as demonstrated at Kenya-Belgium Business Forum in Brussels.

“President Ruto is at the forefront of expanding market access to Kenyan commodities, mobilising investment for Kenya’s priority infrastructure programmes, and elevating Kenya’s place in the evolving global and regional political landscape,” Sing’oei said.

Belgut MP Nelson Koech who chairs the Defence and Foreign Affairs committee of the National Assembly also defended the trips, citing 'enviable diplomatic milestones and gains. He said Ruto has succeeded in raising the standing and profile of Kenya in the global map.

"It is not for nothing. When France was looking for who to co-host the Africa Forward Summit, Kenya emerged at the top," Koech said.

As President Ruto departed on a three-country tour of Belgium, Norway and Finland on Sunday, Mohamed said the mission is aimed at attracting investment and expanding market access for Kenyan products

He added that the visit also seeks to strengthen partnerships that boost exports, create jobs and drive economic growth.

During the visit to Belgium, the President held talks with His Majesty King Philippe and top officials at European Union headquarters.

From the engagements, State House says among the wins for Kenya include  €102 million (Sh15.3 billion) secured under the EU-Kenya Digital Partnership to support digital transformation and connectivity and €37 million (Sh5.6 billion) for the Blue Raman cable's Africa extension.

“President Ruto advanced discussions on expanding Kenya–Belgium trade and investment, including support for regional transport links connecting the Port of Mombasa to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, following talks with King Philippe,” Mohamed said.

The government has also pointed to the launch of the Kenya-Benelux Chamber of Commerce and ongoing efforts to expand trade and investment ties with Belgium and the wider European market.

The President also engaged business persons and potential investors at the Kenya-Belgium Business Forum, where he called for further exploration of potential areas of engagement   

In Norway, President Ruto said he will push for the advancement of Kenya’s maritime and blue economy agenda through cooperation with Oslo.

This will be through exploring opportunities for investment, knowledge exchange, skills development, technology transfer and job creation across the maritime economy.

“We are also exploring new shipping routes to boost trade, strengthen supply chain resilience, enhance connectivity between the ports of Mombasa and Lamu and Norwegian ports, and expand our shipbuilding capacity,” Ruto said during a meeting with Norwegian Shipowners’ Association in Oslo.

The final leg of the tour will take Ruto to Finland for a state visit hosted by President Alexander Stubb, following the Finnish leader's visit to Kenya last year.

The visit is expected to deepen cooperation in education, technology, digitisation, clean energy, healthcare and environmental sustainability, while also creating opportunities for new business partnerships through the Kenya-Finland Business Forum.

Ruto will also participate in the Kultaranta Talks, one of Europe's leading foreign and security policy forums, where Africa's peace, security and development priorities are expected to feature prominently.