President William Ruto is set to leave the country on official visits to Spain and the United Kingdom, where he is set to sign a renewed Strategic Partnership with the UK to unlock major investments across various sectors.
In a statement released by the government spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed, on Sunday, while in the UK, Ruto will sign a renewed Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership set to unlock major investments, create jobs, and boost Kenya's global competitiveness in trade, climate, technology, and security.
In London, President Ruto will join UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer to sign the renewed Kenya-UK Strategic Partnership 2025–2030. Anchored on four pillars—trade, climate, technology, and security—the partnership aims to double trade by 2030, equip Kenyans with digital skills, and strengthen cooperation on regional stability, terrorism, cyber threats, and climate action, according to the statement.
The Nairobi Railway City project, which was given the green light by the Cabinet on Tuesday, is set to get a major boost, with discussions expected to centre on its implementation.
According to the government, the flagship project is seen as a critical step in attracting private investment to the Railway City, which will modernise the outdated Railways Central Station into a state-of-the-art, multi-modal transport hub.
The UK has committed to mobilising up to Ksh266 billion (£1.5 billion) in new investments across Kenya to drive growth in priority sectors by 2030.
''Under the trade and green growth pillar, both countries will prioritise the completion of flagship projects, including the Nairobi Railway City, which is set to transform Nairobi's Central Business District into a modern, transit-oriented urban hub. The UK has committed to mobilising up to £1.5 billion in new investments across Kenya to drive growth across priority sectors by 2030,'' the statement read in part.
''In support of climate action, the two nations will unlock green finance from public, private, and blended sources. The science and technology agenda will invest in Kenya's innovation ecosystem, supporting start-ups and digitally enabled SMEs, and creating digital jobs, with additional cooperation in Artificial Intelligence and emerging technologies.''
While on his trip, which comes amid the tensions back at home following the deadly protests witnessed on Wednesday, Ruto will also witness the announcement by Lloyd's of London to establish a regional underwriting hub in Nairobi under the Nairobi International Financial Centre (NIFC).
While in Spain, the Head of State is set to participate in the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development, a high-level global forum convening world leaders to define new principles for development financing.
He will advocate for reinvigorated multilateralism, which he has been strongly advocating for, amid the growing uncertainties, geopolitical tensions, and intersecting crises.
''President Ruto will also co-chair a high-level session during the summit and hold bilateral talks with several Heads of State and Government, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and King Felipe VI, aimed at deepening bilateral cooperation in areas such as clean energy, youth empowerment, and climate resilience,'' the statement added.
