President William Ruto has called on Kenya’s ambassadors to aggressively market the country abroad and help attract investment as the government seeks to accelerate economic growth and expand opportunities for Kenyans.
Speaking during the opening of the 19th Ambassadors’ Conference in Nairobi on Saturday, President Ruto urged diplomats to position Kenya as a preferred destination for trade, investment and partnerships in a rapidly changing global landscape.
“You are called upon to articulate, position, and present to the world the full breadth of Kenya’s potential - to tell our story with conviction, and to translate that promise into partnerships that deliver tangible outcomes for our nation,” said President Ruto.
President William Ruto speaks during the opening of the 19th Ambassadors Conference at Safari Park Hotel in Nairobi on March 28, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
The President said Kenya now approaches global engagement “from a position of far greater strength,” citing improvements in economic stability, declining inflation and renewed investor confidence.
He urged ambassadors to counter negative perceptions of the country, saying Kenya should be portrayed as stable, ambitious, and open for business.
“We are a great nation. We must stop negativity about our country and protect the image of who we are. Kenya is not about chaos and destruction. We are a serious nation with a clear mission. Let us believe in ourselves and in our nation. That belief will make a huge difference in how far we go. I ask you to project the right image of our nation. Kenya is not defined by negativity, but by progress and opportunity. We are proud and responsible members of the international community, and we will continue to act with purpose in shaping a more just, inclusive and effective global order,” he said.
On the Sh5 trillion plan, which he dubbed as road to Singapore first world status, President Ruto touted the plan to expand road network by at least 2,500km of dual carriageways and 28,000km of other roads over the next seven to 10 years; expanding rail network; and expanding energy capacity to 10,000MW as a grand, but achievable plan.
He noted that the country had managed to avoid a sovereign debt default despite earlier projections that placed Kenya among African economies at risk.
According to the President, Kenya recorded foreign direct investment inflows of more than $2 billion in 2025 — a 15 per cent increase — while recent investment commitments worth $2.9 billion secured during the Kenya International Investment Conference are expected to create over 63,000 jobs.
He directed envoys to actively market Kenya to international investors and institutions, especially in sectors such as infrastructure, hospitality, energy, and technology. He said the government is encouraging private sector participation to expand key industries, including hotel capacity and conference facilities.
He added that new conference facilities, including those at Bomas of Kenya, are already attracting strong interest, even before completion.
“I expect you - working closely with the State Department of Diaspora Affairs - to give it focused attention, with a view to expanding into new markets and territories. At the same time, I expect the bilateral frameworks governing the employment of our citizens abroad to be strong, enforceable,and genuinely protective of their rights and dignity,” he said.
President William Ruto (centre) with (from left) Principal Secretary, State Department for Diaspora Affairs Roseline Njogu, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi, Kenya's Ambassador and Permanent Representative to the UNEP Ida Odinga and Principal Secretary, State Department of Foreign Affairs Korir Sing'Oei, during the opening of the 19th Ambassadors Conference at Safari Park Hotel on March 28, 2026.
Photo credit: Bonface Bogita | Nation Media Group
The President specifically highlighted Kenya’s push to become a regional hub for international meetings, noting ongoing investments in modern conference infrastructure. He said facilities such as the Bomas of Kenya are already attracting global interest, with the country positioning itself to host major summits, including the Africa–France Summit and other high-level engagements.
Dr Ruto emphasized that diplomats must help “redirect serious global conferences to Kenya,” arguing that such events would boost tourism, investment, and the country’s international standing.
“I expect each of you to be at the forefront of championing these opportunities in your respective stations, positioning Kenya not only as a destination for investment but also as a partner of choice in building the future,” he said.
“We look forward to hosting two landmark global engagements that underscore Kenya’s growing role as a convener of consequential international dialogue. I expect you, as our ambassadors, to actively facilitate participation, amplify Kenya’s voice, and help build momentum for these two historic engagements,” he added.
At the same time, the President linked diplomatic work to broader economic priorities, including efforts to attract funding for large-scale infrastructure, energy expansion, and food security programmes. He noted that Kenya requires significant investment to close its energy gap and expand production capacity.
He said the government is increasingly relying on public-private partnerships, capital markets, and pension funds to finance development projects, and urged diplomats to help mobilize international support and investors.
“Our diplomacy must remain rooted in the everyday interests of Kenyans - the farmer seeking better prices, the worker abroad in need of protection, and the entrepreneur seeking access to new markets. I urge you to believe in our great nation and to serve it with unwavering dedication. You occupy positions of both high privilege and responsibility. As we work here at home to transform our country, you are the face, the voice, and the standard of Kenya beyond our borders. I call upon you to embody that responsibility with integrity, conviction, and a deep sense of purpose,” he said.
The Head of State revealed that the government is also undertaking efforts to improve the city of Nairobi, including enhancing security, lighting, cleanliness and environmental management. Rehabilitation of the Nairobi River is underway, with plans to reopen it in January next year, followed by similar works on the Ngong River.
"My last meeting yesterday evening focused on the security of Nairobi and what we must do to clean and light up the city. Nairobi is very dark in many areas, and we must improve cleanliness and the overall environment. We are the environmental capital of the world, hosting both the United Nations Environment Programme and United Nations Human Settlements Programme, yet when you look at the Nairobi River, it does not reflect that commitment,” he said.
“We are now fixing that. I want to share some good news: on January 15 next year we will reopen the Nairobi River, and you will see a completely different environment. After that we will move to the Ngong River, with the goal of putting Nairobi in a much better place,”he added.
