President William Ruto has lauded the Kenyan diaspora for their significant contributions to the country’s economic development.
During an engagement with Kenyans residing in Egypt, President Ruto highlighted the crucial role played by diaspora remittances in bolstering Kenya’s economy and enhancing the nation’s global image. He emphasized that the funds sent back home not only represent financial figures but also lead to transformative impacts on families and communities.
“The money you remit back home is changing lives, uplifting families, and driving progress in villages across Kenya,” Ruto stated.
The President encouraged the diaspora to maintain their support for national development initiatives.
Accompanying President Ruto on his visit were Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Cabinet Secretaries Aden Duale (Environment), Lee Kinyanjui (Trade), Eric Mugaa (Water), and Agriculture Principal Secretary Paul Ronoh. Also present was Kenya’s African Union Commission (AUC) candidate Raila Odinga.
The President’s two-day state visit to Egypt aims to strengthen bilateral relations and explore new areas of cooperation. Kenya’s average annual exports to Egypt stand at approximately $176.04 million (Sh22.8 billion), while imports are valued at about $340.10 million (Sh44.2 billion).
Earlier, President Ruto and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi witnessed the signing of 12 Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) to enhance collaboration in various sectors, including trade, investment, education, and technology.
The agreements cover a broad range of areas such as political consultations, diplomatic training, investment cooperation, gender equality, maritime partnerships, youth empowerment, higher education, and scientific research. Additional areas of cooperation include telecommunications, IT, space research, governance, sustainable development, housing, construction, and urban development.
President Ruto revealed that advanced discussions are underway to finalize key agreements on customs cooperation, security, tourism, mining, the blue economy, sports development, and the Grant Water Agreement.
“We aim to swiftly conclude these pending matters and operationalize the MoUs to reinforce our shared vision for economic transformation and sustainable development,” Ruto said.
To foster stronger business relations, President Ruto proposed the creation of a Joint Business Council to boost bilateral ties and explore new trade and investment opportunities. He emphasized the need to address trade barriers, streamline regulations, and simplify customs procedures to create a more efficient and predictable trading environment.
“By resolving issues such as delayed payments and supply chain inefficiencies, we can unlock economic resilience and shared prosperity,” he added.
President Ruto acknowledged Egypt’s pivotal role in promoting peace and security in Africa. He commended President El-Sisi for his leadership efforts in fostering stability in the Middle East and North Africa, including his work in securing a ceasefire and facilitating humanitarian aid into Gaza.
“We have made significant strides in strengthening our economic, security, and diplomatic ties, and I am optimistic that our partnership will continue to flourish,” Ruto affirmed.
The agreements signed during this visit build on the outcomes of a Joint Cooperation Committee (JCC) meeting held between the two nations in March 2024, signaling a deepening of Kenya-Egypt relations.
