List of international presidential trips made by William Ruto

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Ruto's visit to the Seoul National Cemetery November 2022
Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken meets with Ruto, on the margins of the US–Africa Leaders Summit 2022.

William Ruto became President of Kenya on 13 September 2022 following the 2022 Kenyan general election.[1] While, William Ruto travelled extensively for official business as Deputy President of Kenya, the following is a list of international presidential trips made by William Ruto since assuming office.

Map showing international trips made by Ruto as president
  1 visit
  2 visits
  3 visits
  4+ visits
  Kenya
Number of Visits Country
1 visit , Belgium, Comoros, Central African Republic, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Guinea-Bissau, Haiti, India, Israel, Mozambique, Netherlands, Senegal, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Spain, Qatar, Vatican City, Zambia, Zimbabwe
2 visits Angola,Democratic Republic of Congo, Egypt, Republic of Congo, Ghana, , Japan, Namibia, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Switzerland
3 visits Burundi, China, France, Germany, Rwanda, i

Italy, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom

5+ visits Uganda (5), United States (6), Ethiopia (8) Tanzania (9)

2022

The following international trips were made by William Ruto in 2022.

Country Areas visited Date(s) Purpose(s) Notes
 United Kingdom London 19–20 September State funeral of Elizabeth II
Details
William Ruto attended the State funeral of Queen Elizabeth II along with various African Heads of States.[2]
 United States New York City, NY 20–24 September Seventy-seventh session of the United Nations General Assembly
Details
William Ruto attended his first UNGA meeting as president in 2022. He addressed the General Debate on September 21, with a focus on debt relief and climate change.[3] William Ruto also had the following meetings on the sidelines with:

Along with these meetings, President Ruto also attended the US-Kenya Business Forum, United Nations Development Programme's Africa Investment Partnership Forum and a state dinner hosted by US president Joe Biden.[10]

 Ethiopia Addis Ababa 6 October Launch of Safaricom Telecommunications Ethiopia
Details
William Ruto began his first regional tour and made a day trip to Addis to participate in the launch of Safaricom Kenya's Ethiopian subsidiary. The president also held bilateral talks with prime minister Abiy Ahmed.[11]
 Uganda Kampala 8–9 October State visit – Uganda 60th Independence Day celebrations
Details
William Ruto made a two-day visit to Uganda to attended the 60th Independence Day celebrations held in Uganda.[12]
 Tanzania Dar es Salaam 9–10 October State visit
Details
William Ruto made a two-day visit to Tanzania after attending Independence Day celebrations in Uganda. The trip is the final destination in the president's regional tour. The president held various bilateral meetings and addressed the state house along with his Tanzanian counterpart Samia Suluhu Hassan. Topics such as investments, infrastructure, security and movement of people were discussed.[13]
 Egypt Sharm El Sheikh 6–8 November 2022 United Nations Climate Change Conference
Details
William Ruto attended the COP27 conference held in Egypt. President Ruto addressed the assembly and focused his speech on reforestation and green energy.[14] During the summit, William Ruto held a separate meeting with African leaders and held bilateral talks with various leaders on the sidelines of the summit: Paul Kagame (Rwanda), Azali Assoumani (Comoros), Esperança da Costa (Angola).[15][16]

Ruto also held bilateral talks with leaders of other countries and multi-lateral organizations:

Separately the heads of state of the East Africa Community held a private roundtable with Angola to discuss the situation of the M23 offensive in the DRC[20]

 Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa 21 November State visit
Details
William Ruto met with President Félix Tshisekedi at the state house in Kinshasa to discuss the mandate of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in the DRC against the M23 offensive.[21]
 South Korea Seoul 22–24 November State visit
Details
William Ruto held bilateral talks with President Yoon Suk-yeol to strengthen co-operation in ICT, education, pharmaceutical and infrastructure.[22] The president met with Kenyans living in South Korea and attended a business forum.
 Eritrea Asmara 9–10 December State visit
Details
William Ruto held bilateral talks with President of Eritrea Isaias Afwerki. The leaders discussed on how to increase trade and improve bilateral economic relations between the countries. The Duo also agreed to abolish visa requirements for its respective citizens.[23]
 United States Washington, D.C., New York City 13–16 December United States–Africa Leaders Summit 2022
Details
William Ruto attended the US-Africa Leaders summit hosted by President Joe Biden.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Ruto met:

At the summit, the leaders of East Africa along with João Lourenço of Angola discussed the ongoing Conflict in DRC.[26]

At the US Business forum, president Ruto met with various US executives to discuss further partnerships in business.

On Friday December 16, President Ruto rings the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange.[27]

2023

The following international trips were made by William Ruto in 2023.

Country Areas visited Date(s) Purpose(s) Notes
 France Paris 24 January State visit
Details
William Ruto met with president Emmanuel Macron and held bilateral talks about France's involvement in infrastructure projects in Kenya along with potential funding for the East African Regional Force operating in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.[28]
 Senegal Dakar 25–26 January Feed Africa Summit
Details
Ruto along with various African leaders attended the Feed Africa Dakar 2 Summit. Ruto was a keynote speaker on Food, Sovereignty and Resilience. The summit hosted by the African Development Bank pledged to increase its investment in continental food production.[29] At the end of the summit, Ruto officially opened the Kenyan embassy in Senegal.[30]
 Somalia Mogadishu 31 January – 1 February Somalia Frontline States Summit
Details
Ruto, alongside Ethiopia's Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and Djibouti's President Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, participated in an anti-terrorism summit organized by Somali President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud in Mogadishu.[31][32]
 Burundi Bujumbura 4 February 20th Extraordinary summit of EAC heads of state
Details
Ruto along with all other heads of states (minus Salva Kiir of South Sudan) from the East African Community attended the emergency summit hosted by EAC chair Évariste Ndayishimiye in Bujumbura. The summit was focused on the evaluation of the security situation in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.[33]
 Ethiopia Addis Ababa 17–19 February 36th ordinary Session of the African Union (AU) Assembly
Details
Ruto made his first visit to an African Union Assembly summit since assuming office. The summit focused on food security on the continent.

On the sidelines of the summit, President Ruto met:

Also on the sidelines of the summit, Ruto, EAC leaders & João Lourenço discussed their ongoing intervention in DRC.[35]

 Germany Berlin 27–28 March 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue
Details
Ruto attended The 9th Berlin Energy Transition Dialogue along with representatives from 90 other countries. Ruto was a keynote speaker where he declared Kenya's goal of attaining one hundred percent renewables for power supply by the year 2030.[36] After the conference also held bilateral talks with German chancellor Olaf Scholz.[37]
 Belgium Brussels 29–30 March State visit
Details
Ruto held bilateral talks with the prime minister of Belgium Alexander De Croo, where they discussed health, food security, drought response, climate action, trade and investment.[38] President of the European Council Charles Michel also held talks with Ruto.[39]
 Rwanda Kigali 4–5 April State visit
Details
This was Ruto's first state visit to Rwanda since becoming president where he met Paul Kagame. Both leaders discussed various bilateral issues and signed various agreements. Both presidents signed and ratified East Africa One Area Network for Mobile.[40]
 Uganda Kampala 26 April Heads of State Summit
Details
William Ruto made a day visit to Uganda to discuss with regional leaders at the "Heads of State Summit of the Troop Contributing countries to the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia". Heads of state from Somalia, Djibouti, Burundi, and Ethiopia were all present along with the host Yoweri Museveni. With increasing conflicts in the area, Kenya is increasing its role to help stabilize the region.[41]
 United Kingdom London 6–7 May Coronation of Charles III and Camilla
Details
William Ruto attended the coronation of Charles III and Camilla along with various heads of states of the Commonwealth of Nations. On the sidelines, Ruto also held bilateral talks with various British investors to invest in Kenya.[42]
 Netherlands The Hague, Rotterdam 7–8 May Summit
Details
William Ruto attended the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA) in Rotterdam to participate in a Strategic Dialogue on the Africa Climate Action Summit. After the summit, President Ruto held bilateral talks with King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands.[citation needed]
 Israel Jerusalem 9–10 May State visit
Details
Ruto made his first state visit to Israel. Ruto first met with Israeli president Isaac Herzog and held bilateral talks before heading to meet with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Along with various high-level delegates from both countries, the two leaders signed various agreements in cooperation in agriculture, trade, education and security. This is the first high level visit between both countries after Ruto changed Kenya's stance on voting for Israel at the United Nations.[43] After the visit, Ruto visited the World Holocaust Remembrance Center and the Western Wall for prayers.[44]
 South Africa Midrand 17 May 3rd Pan African Parliamentarians Summit
Details
Ruto attended the 3rd Pan African Parliamentarians Summit on Climate Policy and Equity.[45]
 Burundi Bujumbura 31 May 21st Extraordinary summit of EAC heads of state
Details
A summit was convened by Burundi and other prominent members of the East African community, aiming to address the involvement of the East African Community Regional Force (EACRF) in the eastern region of Congo. The Democratic Republic of Congo had expressed its intention to terminate the force's mandate in peacekeeping amidst the M23 offensive. As part of the summit's proceedings, the forces mandate was extended and Aphaxxard Muthuri was formally appointed as the new force commander.[46]
 Zambia Lusaka 7–8 June 22nd Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) heads of State and Government Summit
Details
Ruto attended his first COMESA summit. During his keynote, Ruto proposed a single currency for Africa.[47]
 Djibouti Djibouti City 11–12 June State visit & ordinary summit of Intergovernmental Authority on Development
Details
Ruto attended the Intergovernmental Authority on Development ordinary summit where the countries tried to deliberate the situation in the ongoing Sudan conflict. The members agreed to attempt to have direct talks with the Sudanese generals.[48] Before the summit, Ruto met with Ismaïl Omar Guelleh, president of Djibouti and held bilateral talks. They established the Kenya-Djibouti business council and Ruto declared the abolishment of visa requirements for Djibouti citizens to Kenya.[49]
  Switzerland Geneva 15–16 June 111th annual International Labour Organisation conference
Details
Ruto attended the 111th annual International Labour Organisation conference in Geneva. Ruto delivered a keynote speech at the conference. Prior to the speech, he also held bilateral talks with the Gilbert F Houngbo, the Director-General of the International Labour Organisation.[50][51]
 France Paris 22–23 June Global Pact Finance Summit
Details
Ruto participated in the Global Pact Finance summit held in Paris, France. This summit held significant importance for the Ruto administration, as the president persistently advocated for the establishment of new Multilateral Finance Institutions amidst foreign exchange shortages prevalent across the global south due to the strengthening US dollar.[52] Furthermore, Ruto took the opportunity to engage with Parisian youth at Champ de Mars during the Global Citizen Festival, where he discussed climate policies and extended an invitation to attend the Africa Climate Summit scheduled to take place in Nairobi in September.[53]
 Comoros Moroni 6 July State visit
Details
Ruto was a guest of honor at the 48th independence anniversary of the Comoros islands. Ruto was invited by president Azali Assoumani where they held bilateral talks in increased economic co-operation. Ruto announced the abolition of tourist visas of Comoros citizens to Kenya by the end of 2023 and encouraged them to apply to join the East African Community. After the ceremony, Ruto was honored with the highest award in Comoros the Grand Cross of the Green Crescent of the Comoros.[54][55]
 Republic of Congo Brazzaville, Oyo 7–8 July State visit
Details
Ruto presided over a Kenya-Congolese business forum along with counterpart Denis Sassou Nguesso. After this event the two presidents signed various MoUs in trade and investment, energy, ICT, transport, security, education, tourism, culture, agriculture, and the blue economy. Ruto announced that Kenya will abolish tourist visa requirements for citizens of the Republic of Congo. Ruto also announced the resumption of Kenya airways flights along with the fast track of opening a resident mission in Brazzaville.[56][57] Ruto also visited president Nguesso's private farm where he held talks with Central African Republic president Faustin-Archange Touadéra.[58]
 Ethiopia Addis Ababa 10 July IGAD Summit
Details
Officials from the IGAD group of countries met in Ethiopia to discuss the peace road map in Sudan.[59]
 Tanzania Dar es Salaam 25–26 July World Bank Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit
Details
Ruto attended the Africa Human Capital Heads of State Summit hosted by Samia Suluhu in Dar es Salaam. The summit was attended by several African heads of state.[60]
 Mozambique Maputo 10–12 August State visit
Details
Ruto made a two-day state visit to Mozambique, where he held bilateral talks with his counterpart Filipe Nyusi. Several MoUs were signed between the two countries and both leaders also attended the Mozambique-Kenya business investment forum.[61]
 Uganda Kampala 13 August State visit
Details
William Ruto made a day trip to Kampala to discuss bilateral relations with president Yoweri Museveni.[62]
 Tanzania Dar es Salaam 7 September Africa Food Systems Forum 2023
Details
William Ruto attended the Africa Food Systems Forum in Tanzania along with various other local regional leaders.[63]
 United States California, New Jersey, Washington, D.C., New York City 15–25 September Business visit and Seventy-eighth session of the United Nations General Assembly
Details
Ruto made a 10-day visit to the United States where he attended several events promoting Kenya and Kenyan businesses before he concluded his visit by attending the United Nations General Assembly.

On the sidelines of the UNGA summit, president Ruto held bilateral talks with various foreign heads of states such as:

 China Beijing 15–18 October Third Belt and Road Initiative summit
Details
Ruto made his way to Beijing to participate in the tenth-anniversary summit of the Belt and Road Initiative. On the inaugural day, Ruto engaged in discussions with numerous prominent figures in the Chinese industry. During this time, Kenya and China's Energy International Group formalized a memorandum of understanding aimed at boosting investments in renewable energy within Kenya. Furthermore, Ruto held meetings with the leadership of the Chinese telecommunication company, Huawei, resulting in the signing of Memorandums of Understanding to expedite Kenya's digital transformation. On the sidelines of the Belt and Road Initiative summit, President Ruto engaged in talks with Pakistan's Prime Minister Anwaar-ul-Haq Kakar.[72] Following the summit's conclusion, Ruto engaged in bilateral discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping.[73][74]
 Saudi Arabia Riyadh 24–25 October Future Investment Initiative
Details
Ruto made a trip to Saudi Arabia to attend the Saudi Future Investment Initiative summit. Before the summit Ruto held bilateral talks with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.[75] Ruto gave a keynote address at the FII Summit.[76]
 Republic of Congo Brazzaville 28 October Three Basins Summit
Details
Ruto attended the Three Basins Summit hosted in Brazzaville. During the summit, Ruto announced that Kenya will end visitor visa requirements to all African visitors by the end of the year.[77][78]
 Saudi Arabia Riyadh 10–11 November Saudi Arabia – Africa Summit
Details
Ruto attended the inaugural Saudi Arabia – Africa summit along with various other heads of states from Africa. On the sidelines of the summit the president held talks with the following:
 Germany Berlin 20–21 November 5th G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Summit
Details
Ruto participated in the 5th G20 Compact with Africa (CwA) Summit held in Berlin, Germany. During the summit, he engaged in discussions with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on topics such as trade, investment, environmental conservation, and industrial promotion. Germany committed to providing assistance to further Kenya's initiatives in Haiti and promote peace in the Horn of Africa. Additionally, Ruto had meetings with World Bank President Ajay Banga and French President Emmanuel Macron.[82][83]
 France Strasbourg 21 November European Union Parliament Sitting
Details
Ruto addressed the European Union Parliament. Climate change and Migration were topics of note.[84]
 Tanzania Arusha 23–24 November EAC High-Level Forum on Climate Change and Food Security
Details
Ruto attended the EAC High-Level Forum on Climate Change and Food Security along with all the heads of state of the East African Community in a closed door session in Arusha. Salva Kiir Mayardit took over the leadership of the Community and Somalia was added as an 8th member of the union.[85]
 United Arab Emirates Dubai 1–4 December 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference
Details
Ruto attended the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference also known as COP28. On the sidelines of the summit, president ruto held talks with:

Ruto was also on a panel to discuss "climate finance" and " accelerated partnership for renewables in Africa".[87]

 India New Delhi 4–6 December State visit
Details
Ruto made a state visit to India.[88]

2024

2025

References

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