Ruto foreign trips are good for Kenya, says Mudavadi

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi says President William Ruto’s foreign missions are critical for development of the country.

Mudavadi said the difficulties Kenya is experiencing call for an aggressive foreign and diplomatic policy.
He said all countries are out pushing for the scarce global resources available for survival and told envoys to brace for a competitive global diplomatic space in the face of fast-changing technological revolution.

“The President’s missions are so critical and essential, more so at this moment when resources globally are scarce and there is heightened competition for those resources. You cannot afford to have a situation where a nation is sitting back and imagine that it will roll those foreign resources and that foreign direct investment to come to your base,” said Mudavadi.

 Mudavadi said Ruto’s diplomatic approach will transform the country in the near future.
“The President’s trips are giving confidence to investors across the globe that Kenya is the right place for investment…these things have been put together for the common good of the country and the citizens,” he said.

He added: “We have to nurture our nation together and tell them that some of these painful doses are here with us. But it is through these pains that we will get out of the difficult situation and get the economy fully on track and the country moving.”

He was speaking at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi during a wellness day for Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs staff.

Mudavadi, who is also the Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, urged the Ministry’s staff to work together and project Kenya to its rightful position on the diplomatic space.

“I ask you to be prepared to work with people who are embracing technology on their fingertips. We must race with them if we must win for our country,” he said.

“So many issues are now filtering in the cost of living debate which remains a challenge in our country. For us to cure this, we have to attract foreign direct investment and it is the Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs that will lead the nation into a success story,” he told the staff.

Mudavadi reminded Kenyans that Ruto’s administration has worked hard to maintain a positive image and relations with the donor community saying complying with the requirements of the Bretton Woods Institutions had helped the country attract key financial support.

“If there was no IMF and World Bank programme, it could be very difficult for the President to attract foreign direct investment, and that is why Kenyans need to understand that it is a difficult moment but we shall come out of it since Kenya has always been looked upon to provide leadership and direction in the region,” he said.

Mudavadi, a one-time Finance Minister, urged the staff to reflect on the past, develop a strong concept of re-defining the course of action in “a competitive environment that will need thorough re-adjustment to make Kenya stand tall globally”.

“Let us collectively use this time to reflect on what has happened, ponder on what ought to have happened and come the year 2024 we need to draw a new driving chapter for the ministry and for the country’s foreign policy agenda,” he said.

The former Vice-President made reference to visits by nearly 30 Heads of State and Government to Kenya in one year as a manifestation that Kenya is re-defining its diplomatic relations and is keen on expanding its global ties for the benefit of citizens.