Special Correspondent, New York
President William Ruto had a busy few days at the 80th UN General Assembly (Unga 80) as he engaged various leaders while lobbying for various deals.
Tabulation from his X posts and press releases shows that he met at least four heads of state and high-ranking officials from the United States and Canada.
He also had an interview with the Reuters news agency, where he discussed trade with the US and the fate of the African Growth Opportunity Act (Agoa).
The heads of State, Dr Ruto, met at the sidelines of Unga are in charge of France, Azerbaijan, Estonia, Austria, Finland, and Ghana. He also met the head of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council.
Dr Ruto also held engagements with at least three corporations, building a case for investments in Kenya.
In his meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron, a forthcoming conference was among the items discussed.
“We announced that Kenya and France will co-host the Africa Forward: Africa-France Partnerships for Innovation and Growth Summit in Nairobi on May 11 and 12, 2026. The summit will bring together African and French Heads of State and government to drive innovation, foster growth, and shape a future built on mutual benefit,” posted Dr Ruto.
President William Ruto addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) at the UN headquarters in New York on September 24, 2025.
Photo credit: Reuters
In his meeting with Ghanaian President John Mahama, the two discussed finances.
“Among the proposals was a call for our countries to place at least 30 percent of their foreign exchange reserves in African financial institutions. This is the surest path to building resilience, unlocking Africa’s potential, and securing shared prosperity for generations to come,” stated Dr Ruto after the meeting.
Kenya and Ghana enjoy warm bilateral relations and are anchor states in their respective regions in West and East Africa. In addition to his meeting with foreign dignitaries, President Ruto expressed Kenya’s readiness to host the 11th “Our Ocean Conference” in 2026.
After Dr Ruto’s meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, he said that the two had directed their teams to “develop a framework that advances trade diversification, supports manufacturing, harnesses Kenya’s human resource capacity through structured migration, and deepens cooperation across key sectors”. Canada holds even more importance with the US wavering on its support for the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO). Kenya is a major non-Nato ally, and Canada is a central part of Nato.
Canada can also facilitate new alternative opportunities for Kenyans in employment under the Kazi Majuu programme, with US President Donald Trump recently imposing a hefty $100,000 fee for the issuance of specialists’ immigrant visas to the US.
President William Ruto delivers his speech during a High-level Meeting on Haiti at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, on the sidelines of the 80th Session of the United Nations General Assembly (Unga) in New York, USA.
Photo credit: Photo | PSC
Speaking of the US, Dr Ruto held talks with America’s Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
“The Secretary lauded Kenya’s brave contributions to Haiti’s peace and security. Both Secretary Rubio and President Ruto emphasized the need for urgent action at the UN to establish a Gang Suppression Force and UN Support Office for Haiti to combat gang violence and ensure Haiti sets itself back on the path towards stability,” said a statement from Mr Rubio’s office.
“The Secretary and President Ruto discussed US-Kenyan security co-operation and the pivotal role Kenya plays in ensuring regional security. The Secretary and President also reviewed numerous opportunities for US commercial investment in key Kenyan sectors,” it added.
Dr Ruto also met US Congressman Brian Mast, the chair of America’s House Committee on Foreign Affairs.
“We reaffirmed our shared commitment to expand cooperation in trade and investment while ensuring the secure and efficient movement of goods,” Dr Ruto posted on X.
President William Ruto speaks during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters on September 21, 2022, in New York City.
Photo credit: AFP
After the meeting with Finland’s president, Alexander Stubb, Dr Ruto said in a statement that both countries are committed to ending conflicts in Gaza, Ukraine, Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Somalia. Finland has advanced to Kenya many aid and educational opportunities.
Regarding his meeting with Estonia’s president Alar Karis, Dr Ruto stated that the two countries “continue to deepen these ties and explore new areas of partnership, including digital transformation to drive our digital economy and create opportunities for young people”.
Estonia is known as a global giant in IT and digital services. It is recognised for its comprehensive e-governance, digital identity system, strong cybersecurity, and thriving tech start-up ecosystem. As Kenya led with M-Pesa and the Silicon Savannah, Estonia is a leader and pioneer in building a digitally enabled society. With Kenya’s efforts at streamlining the Social Health Authority (SHA) the Huduma Number programmes of the Uhuru administration, Estonia can provide a valuable partner.
And after he met with Austria’s president, Alexander Van der Bellen, Dr Ruto announced that the two countries are “determined to expand cooperation in human resource development so that our people can realise their full potential”. Austria offers avenues for expanded horticulture, tea and coffee exports into Central Europe and other parts of the EU.
The statement Dr Ruto put out after meeting the Azerbaijan president Ilham Aliyev said in part that they are “strengthening relations and expanding cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, energy, agriculture, and information technology”. Azerbaijan has low trade volumes with Kenya but can open up opportunities for expanded exports for Kenyan horticulture, coffee and tea. In return, Azerbaijan provides an attractive option for cheap fossil fuels and gas.
One of Dr Ruto’s most important meetings at the sidelines of UNGA 80 was with the head of Haiti’s Transitional Presidential Council, Mr Laurent Saint-Cyr. With the renewal of the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti coming up, the prospects for its renewal seem daunting. President Trump has shown benign neglect towards Haiti. He made no mention of the island of Haiti in his UN address. Rather, he scolded the UN for its failure to support him in stopping seven wars.
Top of Dr Ruto and Laurent Saint-Cyr’s agenda is securing an extension for the MSS, reconfiguring the MSS in the Gang Suppression Force (GSF), and bringing the Russians and Chinese on board with supporting either the MSS or the GSF. The two nations have been opposed to a UN mission in Haiti until peace is restored on the island.
President William Ruto delivers the National Address at the UNGA Summit of the Future, on September 22, 2024.
Photo credit: PCS
However, what has been clear from Dr Ruto’s charm offensive in America is the limits of Kenyan diplomatic power in a global diplomatic space structured, controlled and dominated by major powers.
His elevated rhetoric demanding reforms that would provide at least two permanent seats with full rights to Africa fell on an empty hall with numerous seats vacant and participants visually apathetic.
Secondly, the very structure of the UN Security Council (UNSC) is undemocratic. Any one of the five permanent members can hold the other 188 at ransom.
