President William Ruto has called on Kenyans living abroad to play a bigger role in shaping the country’s economic future, urging them to be part of what he described as Kenya’s journey “from Third World to First.”
Speaking to Kenyans living in Qatar on Tuesday evening, at the sidelines of the UN Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, President Ruto said the diaspora’s financial and intellectual contributions were vital to national progress.
“It disturbs me that Kenya can be a great nation, but we are not moving. Kenyans are known across the world for their discipline and hard work. If you can contribute to Qatar’s economy, who says you cannot contribute to ours?” questioned Ruto.
The President praised Kenyans working overseas for their resilience and professionalism, noting that the diaspora remitted over $5 billion (KSh650 billion) in 2024, a lifeline that has helped stabilise the economy.
“You feel a sense of pride when you see citizens of your country succeeding across the world,” Ruto said.
Dr Ruto was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs Minister Musalia Mudavadi, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, and a number of senior government officials.
He briefed the meeting on his administration’s economic reforms, citing progress in agriculture, manufacturing, and energy. The President pointed to reforms in the sugar sector, which have boosted production from 600,000 metric tonnes in 2023 to 815,000 tonnes in 2024, with projections of reaching one million tonnes next year.
“By 2028, Kenya will be a net exporter of sugar,” Ruto said confidently.
Ruto also highlighted the government’s shift from consumption subsidies to production incentives, saying the policy had eased the cost of living and stabilised food prices. “Last year, people were on the streets with sufurias because the price of unga had hit KSh250. They’ve since gone home,” he said.
The President said his government had introduced farmer registration and digital systems for fertiliser and seed distribution to eliminate middlemen and ensure fair access.
On diaspora remittances, Ruto promised to reduce the cost of sending money home — currently between 5 and 7 per cent — by working with global money transfer networks and the Central Bank of Kenya to develop cheaper options.
“We want you to send money home without losing so much to fees. Every shilling counts,” he said.
Mr Mudavadi echoed the President’s message, praising Kenyans abroad for their contribution to the economy and their good reputation internationally.
“We are getting fewer and fewer cases of Kenyans violating laws abroad. By and large, the reputation of Kenyans across the globe is very good,” he said.
Dr Omar Farah, who chairs the Kenyan community in Qatar, said members were ready to work with the government to support development.
The President concluded by assuring Kenyans in Qatar that the government was committed to deepening engagement with the diaspora through the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.
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