RUTO IN NEW YORK: PRESIDENT PUTS KENYAN DIASPORA AT THE HEART OF NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT AGENDA
By News Brief
President William Ruto has begun his New York engagements ahead of the 81st United Nations General Assembly by meeting Kenyans living in the United States, where he highlighted the role of the diaspora in Kenya’s economic transformation.
The presidential engagement, held on Sunday, September 20, brought together Kenyans in New York ahead of the UNGA high-level week. The meeting was part of the Government’s efforts to strengthen ties with Kenyans abroad and expand opportunities for diaspora participation in Kenya’s development.
During the engagement, President Ruto highlighted the diaspora as an important component of Kenya’s growth story, pointing beyond remittances to investment, expertise, innovation and international networks.
The President also witnessed the signing of a Joint Declaration of Intent involving the Government of Kenya, the United Nations in Kenya and Equity Group Holdings, alongside the presentation of the vision for the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform (KDIP).
The platform is being developed to create structured avenues for Kenyans abroad to participate in community impact projects, access catalytic financing for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), support enterprise creation and contribute skills and knowledge to Kenya.
It is also intended to connect members of the diaspora with verifiable opportunities through which they can participate in Kenya’s national transformation.
The initiative comes as Kenya seeks to deepen diaspora engagement and channel more of the diaspora’s capital, skills and global networks into productive opportunities at home. The Government has previously reported strong growth in diaspora remittances, while officials have identified diaspora investment as an important component of Kenya’s development agenda.
President Ruto’s New York programme comes ahead of Kenya’s participation in the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly, whose high-level general debate begins on September 22. Kenya’s agenda includes issues such as debt sustainability, climate finance, digital cooperation, regional security and reform of global institutions.
The President also continues to champion Kenya’s affordable housing agenda internationally. Kenya has presented its Affordable Housing Programme as part of its broader approach to addressing housing needs and linking housing development with economic activity.
The New York engagement therefore places the Kenyan diaspora alongside housing, investment and international cooperation as key themes of President Ruto’s UNGA 81 visit.
