President Ruto addressing Heads of Mission and representatives of international organisations at Statehouse today. Photo by Andrew Mbuva. 
By Andrew Mbuva.
Kenya is strengthening its position as a regional peace broker and economic reform champion, President William Ruto has said, outlining the country’s development progress, diplomatic priorities, and long-term transformation agenda during the 2026 New Year Diplomatic Address at State House, Nairobi.
Addressing Heads of Mission and representatives of international organisations, President Ruto highlighted 2025 as a landmark year in Kenya’s socio-economic journey, noting that major reforms undertaken by his administration had begun yielding tangible results across critical sectors.
He stated that policy decisions had strengthened economic confidence, reinforced social cohesion, and laid a firm foundation for inclusive and sustainable growth.
The President underscored the expansion of Universal Health Coverage through the Social Health Authority, revealing that over 29.3 million Kenyans are now registered under the programme. He described the initiative as a key milestone in enhancing social protection, reducing vulnerability, and restoring human dignity among citizens.
In agriculture, President Ruto pointed to improved food security and productivity, noting that production in certain sectors had increased by more than 50 per cent. He attributed this progress to government interventions including digital farmer registration, improved fertiliser and seed access, irrigation expansion, and strengthened market support systems, which have boosted farmer incomes and stabilised food supply chains.
The education sector, he added, has regained stability following the successful implementation of the Competency-Based Curriculum (CBC), which emphasises practical skills and creativity. Additionally, the government has conducted what he termed the largest teacher recruitment drive in Kenya’s history, employing 100,000 teachers over the past three years to improve classroom capacity and learning outcomes.
President Ruto reaffirmed that employment creation remains a top national priority, citing expanded opportunities in affordable housing, labour mobility, the digital economy, and small enterprise development as part of efforts to build a production-driven economy, particularly for youth empowerment.
The Head of State also unveiled Kenya’s ambitious 10-year national transformation programme, anchored on infrastructure development, energy expansion, irrigation growth, and increased investment in education and research.
The plan aims to mobilise approximately Sh5 trillion ($40 billion) while avoiding unsustainable debt and excessive taxation. To achieve this, the government is operationalising the National Infrastructure Fund and the Sovereign Wealth Fund to attract long-term capital and enhance fiscal stability.
On foreign policy, President Ruto emphasised Kenya’s commitment to strengthening bilateral and multilateral relations across Africa, Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas.
He noted that Kenya’s leadership roles as Chair of the East African Community and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa reinforce its commitment to regional integration and Africa’s economic transformation.
The President further highlighted Kenya’s growing role in regional peace and security, particularly in the Great Lakes Region. He revealed that Kenya played a central role in efforts to ease tensions in the Democratic Republic of Congo, including co-chairing EAC-SADC summits that merged the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes.
He also witnessed the signing of the Washington Peace and Prosperity Accords between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo, which he described as a significant diplomatic breakthrough.
Beyond the region, President Ruto noted Kenya’s involvement in global peace missions, including leading the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti. He also reiterated Kenya’s call for peaceful political solutions in Sudan and South Sudan, and encouraged dialogue and governance reforms in Somalia to enhance national stability.
On climate diplomacy, the President said Kenya continues to champion Africa’s climate agenda globally, noting its leadership role in climate financing, adaptation strategies, and environmental governance. He announced that Kenya will host the 11th Our Ocean Conference in June 2026 to mobilise global commitments on marine conservation and climate resilience.
President Ruto also used the address to advocate for reforms in the global financial system and the United Nations Security Council, arguing that Africa’s exclusion from permanent membership undermines the legitimacy and effectiveness of the UN despite the continent’s significant role in global peacekeeping.
Reaffirming Kenya’s support for multilateralism and rules-based international cooperation, the President called for strengthened global partnerships to address security threats, economic instability, climate change, and humanitarian challenges.
“As we progress through 2026, let us deepen collaboration and ensure that our shared efforts translate into measurable and meaningful outcomes for our peoples and for humanity,” President Ruto said in conclusion.
