Ruto arrived in Atlanta on Monday, where he wasted no time in pitching Kenya as an “irresistible investment destination” to American multinationals. He touted the country’s ICT, e-mobility, agriculture, and renewable energy sectors as ripe for foreign capital. However, one can’t help but wonder if this is more about Ruto’s personal legacy than Kenya’s actual economic potential.
After all, Kenya’s economy is in shambles, with high inflation, a weakening currency, and a ballooning debt burden. Ruto’s grand plans for “green investments” and “100% renewable energy” ring hollow when his government is struggling to provide basic services and security to its citizens. Is he simply trying to distract from these failures by painting a rosy picture for foreign investors?
The optics of Ruto visiting the Carter Library and Ebenezer Baptist Church in Atlanta also reek of political theater. He’s trying to portray himself as a champion of democracy and civil rights, but his own record tells a different story. Under his watch, Kenya has seen a worrying backslide in democratic freedoms, with crackdowns on dissent and a politicized judiciary.
Ruto’s regional message in Washington is equally suspect. He’s calling for “greater collaboration and strategic global leadership” to address conflicts in the Horn of Africa. But Kenya’s own role in these conflicts, from the war in Somalia to the tensions with Ethiopia, is often overlooked. Is Ruto trying to position himself as an indispensable regional player, even as his government’s foreign policy blunders mount?
The Biden administration, for its part, seems eager to embrace Ruto. They’re dangling the carrot of a new trade deal and security cooperation. But this is likely more about geopolitics than genuine partnership. The US wants to counter China’s growing influence in Africa and maintain a foothold in a strategically important region.
Ruto’s visit is a means to that end.
In the end, Ruto’s US trip may yield some short-term gains, like photo ops with Biden and a few investment pledges. But it won’t solve the deep-seated problems plaguing Kenya. The country needs real economic reforms, democratic renewal, and accountable leadership – not just a slick PR campaign targeting foreign audiences. Ruto’s visit is a distraction from the hard work that lies ahead.
