Ruto unveils bold diplomatic vision, backs Raila for AU leadership
President William Ruto has set Kenya’s diplomatic agenda for 2025, emphasizing regional stability, economic diplomacy and climate action while declaring his full backing for former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union Commission (AUC) Chairperson position.
Speaking during the Annual Address to Heads of Mission and International Organisations at State House, Nairobi, Ruto underscored Kenya’s leadership in fostering global cooperation and announced that the New Year Diplomatic Address would become an annual engagement to reinforce Kenya’s commitment to strengthening international partnerships.
A key highlight of Ruto’s address was his endorsement of Raila Odinga to lead the African Union Commission.
He noted that Odinga’s extensive experience in governance and continental affairs made him the ideal candidate to drive Africa’s transformation agenda.
Declaring Kenya’s full support, Ruto emphasized that Odinga’s leadership would inject fresh momentum into the African Union’s mission of economic integration, peace and security.
Odinga’s candidacy comes at a time when Africa is grappling with security threats, economic challenges and the need for stronger continental institutions.
Ruto urged African nations to rally behind Odinga to ensure a unified and prosperous Africa.
Ruto reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to regional stability, highlighting the country’s mediation efforts in conflicts across the East African Community (EAC), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), and the African Union (AU).
He emphasized Kenya’s role as a trusted peace broker, citing its engagement in conflict resolution efforts in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Sudan and Somalia as a testament to its unwavering commitment to a stable and peaceful Africa.
Calling for structured financing of peace initiatives, he urged international partners to support Africa-led solutions to conflicts, referencing the recent EAC-Southern African Development Community (SADC) summit in Tanzania where leaders deliberated on sustainable peace-building strategies.
On economic matters, President Ruto highlighted Kenya’s progress in fostering international trade and attracting foreign investment, pointing to the success of the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda which has improved economic opportunities for millions of Kenyans.
He noted that Kenya’s economic diplomacy strategy was yielding results with increased foreign direct investment, trade partnerships, and enhanced access to global markets.
Encouraging the diplomatic corps to explore new public-private collaborations, he reassured the international business community of Kenya’s stable economic environment, robust policy framework and commitment to regional integration through the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Kenya has been at the forefront of advocating for climate action and Ruto used his address to reiterate the importance of fulfilling global climate financing commitments.
He stressed that African nations, despite being on the frontline of climate change, received minimal funding to address these challenges, calling on developed nations to honour their climate financing pledges.
Citing the success of the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi in 2024, he reaffirmed Kenya’s leadership in renewable energy, conservation and afforestation.
As Kenya cements its position as a diplomatic powerhouse, Ruto reaffirmed the country’s strong ties with international partners, including the United Nations, the European Union, the United States, China and the Middle East.
He assured diplomats of Kenya’s commitment to multilateralism and global governance reforms, pledging to foster international cooperation, peace and development while inviting global partners to join Kenya in advancing these shared goals.
With Kenya taking an assertive role in regional diplomacy, economic transformation and climate action, Ruto’s address set the tone for a year of strategic international engagement, with his endorsement of Raila Odinga for the AUC leadership further underscoring Kenya’s influence in shaping Africa’s future.