Kenyan President William Ruto addressed the UN General Assembly on September 22, 2024, where he called for urgent reforms in global governance and financing to meet the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) [304fb73a]. Ruto emphasized the need to realign global development financing structures, referencing the 2024 Inter-Agency Task Force on Financing for Development report that highlighted significant financing shortfalls. He warned that one in three developing countries risks defaulting on debt obligations, criticizing the current global financial architecture as dysfunctional.
Ruto supported UN Secretary-General António Guterres' call for a USD 500 billion SDG Stimulus package, stressing that immediate action is necessary to avoid derailing sustainable development ambitions. He highlighted Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, which focuses on inclusivity for marginalized groups, as a model for addressing these global challenges [304fb73a].
In a separate context, President Ruto's administration in Kenya has faced criticism for lacking a coherent growth strategy. During his campaign, Ruto promised to tackle issues such as debt, service delivery, and job-based growth, yet critics argue he has failed to deliver on these promises, focusing instead on tax hikes to avoid default [a2ce267c]. The agriculture policy in Kenya has also been criticized for its incoherence, leading to challenges in the sector, while manufacturers suffer from policy uncertainty and poor infrastructure.
Critics claim that Ruto has not shown interest in independent policy advice and has wasted resources on county industrial parks. The lack of a coherent growth strategy raises concerns about the Kenyan economy and political stability, with the need to create at least one million wage jobs annually to address these challenges [a2ce267c].
In response to the ongoing criticism, Ruto has asked Kenyans to give him more time to rebuild the economy, promising to implement measures to increase job opportunities, improve agricultural output, and enhance health services [09196021]. He has also emphasized the importance of honesty among leaders and has committed to fighting corruption, particularly in the health sector, where he accused cartels of sabotaging his Universal Health Coverage plan.
Additionally, during the 79th UN General Assembly in New York on September 24, 2024, Ruto focused on global governance, sustainable development, and climate action. He participated in discussions on the digital economy, emphasizing inclusivity in AI and data governance. At the U.S.-Kenya Business and Investment Roundtable, he highlighted Kenya's innovative use of AI in education to improve fund distribution efficiency, stating that AI is employed for means-testing to assess parents' financial status for education funding. Furthermore, AI is utilized in distributing fertilizer to farmers and managing universal health coverage payments. Legislation to regulate AI use in education and agriculture is currently underway in Parliament [677e7718].
Meanwhile, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged Kisii leaders to remain consistent in politics, while local governors have pledged to collaborate with the National Government on development projects. National Assembly Majority Chief Whip Slyvanous Osoro has called for unity among Kisii leaders to implement development initiatives effectively [09196021].