President Ruto calls for deeper Kenya-Russia economic ties

President William Ruto has called for greater cooperation with Russia in education, agriculture, trade and other sectors, saying the two countries stand to benefit from stronger bilateral ties.

Speaking in Moscow, Russia, where he is attending the third Africa-Russia Summit, President Ruto said he was mobilising Ksh.5.2 trillion over the next 10 years for infrastructure development, as he called for deeper cooperation with Russia.

Ruto earlier attended the Russia-Africa Economic and Humanitarian Forum, co-chaired by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is also the African Union chairperson.

Ruto on Wednesday urged Russian investors to establish a stronger partnership with Kenya that will share mutual benefits between the two countries. 

He told investors that he was seeking to build a partnership where both countries can share prosperity. 

Ruto cited Russia’s expertise in energy, mining, fertiliser production, engineering, transport and manufacturing, saying it aligned with Kenya’s industrialisation priorities.