From Olkaria to Doha: Ruto champions green growth and global partnerships

President William Ruto began the week on a high note, launching the construction of the KenGen-Kaishan Olkaria green fertiliser plant in Nakuru County, a project he described as a defining moment for Kenya’s green industrial transformation.

The Sh100 billion initiative, a partnership between Kenya and China’s Kaishan Group, is expected to produce over 480,000 tonnes of fertiliser annually, creating more than 2,000 jobs and reducing the country’s fertiliser import bill by over Sh60 billion. 

“This is a powerful symbol of what happens when energy, technology and vision unite in purpose,” the President said.

He noted that he had postponed his planned trip to Qatar to preside over the historic groundbreaking.

Soon after the event, he departed for Doha to attend the Second World Summit for Social Development.

The summit was officially opened by UN Secretary-General António Guterres. 

Here’s a roundup:

October 4, Tuesday

In his address, during the summit, he called for global collaboration in building inclusive economies anchored on education, innovation, and decent work.

On the sidelines of the summit, the President met Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, where the two leaders discussed expanding Qatar’s investment footprint in Kenya. 

The talks focused on agriculture, infrastructure, and financial partnerships, including support for Kenya’s mega-dam programme and the upcoming Sovereign Wealth Fund. 

They also reaffirmed the Kenya Airways-Qatar Airways partnership to strengthen connectivity and tourism, while pledging joint support for peace efforts in Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

He also addressed a high-level panel on education, where he urged world leaders to “connect learning with technology and enterprise” to eradicate poverty and foster inclusion. 

He highlighted Kenya’s reforms under the competency-based curriculum and the recruitment of more teachers to close staffing gaps.

October 5, Wednesday

On the sidelines of the summit, Ruto met Albanian President Bajram Begaj to discuss expanding cooperation in trade, tourism, and investment. 

He later engaged the Kenyan diaspora in Qatar, outlining reforms to streamline passport processing, deregister rogue labour agencies, and negotiate new bilateral labour agreements.

The President toured Baladna Food Industries, a leading Qatari dairy enterprise, whose integrated production model he said offers valuable lessons for Kenya’s livestock sector. 

He later met senior Qatari officials, including Labour Minister Ali bin Saeed bin Samikh Al Marri, where they agreed to operationalise a Qatari Visa Centre in Nairobi by early 2026 and offer 13,000 new job opportunities for Kenyan workers.

October 6, Thursday

Back home, Ruto spoke by phone with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, thanking Germany for its support to Kenya’s energy sector through a €45 million facility. 

They also discussed implementing the bilateral labour agreement between the two countries and the need for peace in Somalia, Sudan and Eastern DRC.

In another call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ruto requested the release of Kenyans allegedly detained in Ukraine and urged young people to avoid being lured into foreign conflicts.

October 7, Friday

At State House, he held talks with the acting US Ambassador to Kenya, Susan Burns.

Their discussions focused on strengthening ongoing programmes and identifying new opportunities for cooperation that advance shared priorities and deliver tangible outcomes for our people.

“Kenya and the United States enjoy a strong and enduring partnership that spans key sectors, including trade and investment, security cooperation, health, technology, and education. We remain committed to deepening and expanding this collaboration for the mutual benefit and prosperity of our two nations,” he said.

He then flew to Mumias in Kakamega County, to officially launch the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement (NYOTA) programme.

Nyota is a five-year government initiative funded by the World Bank aimed at empowering the youth.