President William Ruto has urged Kenyans living in Qatar to rally behind his government’s efforts to move Kenya from a Third World to a First World nation.
Speaking during a meeting with the Kenyan diaspora in Doha on Tuesday evening, at the sidelines of the UN Second World Summit for Social Development, Ruto said Kenyans abroad play a key role in the country’s development through their remittances and skills.
“The Kenyan diaspora remitted $5 billion (KSh650 billion) last year. You have a huge role to play in transforming our economy,” he said.
Ruto noted that Kenyans are globally recognized for their hard work and professionalism, qualities that should be channelled towards national development. He recalled his meeting with Qatar’s Emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, who praised Kenyan workers for their contribution to Qatar’s economy.
“Who says these good people cannot contribute to our economy back home?” Ruto asked.
The President was accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, Labour Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua, and other senior officials. He said he had shared his vision of national transformation with former leaders Uhuru Kenyatta and Raila Odinga, emphasizing the need for collective effort.
Highlighting recent achievements, Ruto said agricultural reforms had stabilized food prices, reducing the cost of unga from KSh250 in 2023. He added that sugar production had risen from 600,000 metric tonnes in 2023 to 815,000 tonnes in 2024, with projections to hit one million tonnes by 2025.
He also pledged to lower the cost of remitting money from the current 5–7 percent, directing the Central Bank to work on a more affordable system.
Kenyans in Qatar, led by Dr Omar Farah, expressed readiness to partner with the government. “We are not asking for favours; we are offering partnership. We are not just Kenyans abroad; we are Kenya abroad,” he said.
