Foreign Policy: William Ruto's Endless Trips And Major International Deals Kenya Signed In 2023

• The European Union (EU) and Kenya officially inked an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) designed to elevate trade between Kenya and the EU
• Kenya sealed landmark deals worth a staggering KSh 680 billion (approximately $4.48 billion) in green energy investments at the COP 28 in Dubai
• Kenya and India signed five MoUs to strengthen trade as well as MOUs for the extension of SGR with James Orengo led LREB delegation during a trip to India

Elijah Ntongai, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, leverages more than three years of expertise in financial, business, and technology research, providing insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.

Elevating Kenya's diplomatic relations through trade agreements and memorandums of understanding has been President William Ruto's core mandate in the last 15 months he has been in office.

The president has been criticised for frequent foreign trips in his first year as president, but he defended the trips, saying he is the country's ultimate salesman.

In an interview on CitizenTV, the Principal Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Korir Sing'oe, said that Kenya's foreign standing has been elevated significantly in Ruto's first term.

"I say that because President Ruto has stepped up to take leadership on the continent with regard to critical issues," said Sing'oe.

In 2033, the country, under Ruto's leadership, signed major development and trade deals, among them the EU-Kenya Agreement.

1. EU-Kenya Agreement

On December 18, the European Union (EU) and Kenya officially inked an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) designed to elevate trade in goods and generate fresh economic prospects for both regions.

The signing ceremony was witnessed by Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and William Ruto, President of Kenya, and once the EPA comes into effect, it will grant duty-free, quota-free access to the EU market for all exports from Kenya.

The agreement also outlines a phased and gradual opening of the Kenyan market to imports from the EU, showcasing a commitment to fostering mutually beneficial trade relationships.

2. 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28)

William Ruto participated in the 28th Conference of the Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30 to December 2.

Ruto, who had built momentum around Africa's demands for clean energy funding ahead of COP28, was a Key speaker during the event, and his participation was significant in securing funding for the green projects.

President William Ruto's leadership took centre stage at the COP28 in Dubai as Kenya sealed landmark deals worth a staggering KSh 680 billion (approximately $4.48 billion) in green energy investments.

During the COP27 climate summit, UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Kenyan President William Ruto reached an agreement to expedite six green energy projects in Kenya, collectively valued at KSh 500 billion (approximately US$4.1 billion), with one of these projects being the Menengai Geothermal Project under development by the Geothermal Development Company.

President Ruto's pivotal role in hosting the Africa Climate Summit in Nairobi set the stage for Kenya's remarkable success at COP28, positioning him as the point man for Africa's climate action.

3. Kenya and India

William Ruto took a trip to India on December 4 after COP 28 to strengthen ties in critical sectors.

The trip to India was a major success as Kenya and India signed five MoUs to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two nations.

India further gave $250 million (KSh 38.3 billion) to support Kenya in the mechanisation of agriculture and other interventions in health and agreed to open its market to avocado exports from Kenya.

Additionally, India signed MOUs for the establishment of a solar park and extension of the SGR with a delegation from the Lake Region Economic Block led by James Orengo.

How many foreign trips have been taken by President Ruto?

William Ruto took office in 2022 and made the first trip to the UK to attend the burial of Queen Elizabeth II, and during the visit, he extended an invitation to King Charles II, whose visit to Kenya brought significant global attention to Kenya.

The table below shows the total number of trips taken by President William Ruto since taking office up to December 6 2023.

Kenya to conclude agreements with eight countries

In other related news, Ruto said that his government is committed to creating employment for youths, and one of the strategies is to sign agreements to send Kenyans to work abroad.

During the NYS recruits' pass-out ceremony at the NYS Paramilitary Academy in Gilgil, Nakuru county, Ruto highlighted imminent negotiations with Germany, Saudi Arabia, and eight other countries, aiming to finalise agreements on labour export from Kenya.

"We are concluding negotiations with Germany, we are concluding negotiations with Saudi Arabia, we are concluding negotiations with another eight countries, on the export of labour," Ruto announced.