President William Ruto has cautioned that the United Nations (UN) risks drifting into irrelevance if it fails to reform and adapt to changing global realities. Speaking on Wednesday, September 24, 2025, during the ongoing United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York, Ruto emphasized the need for inclusivity and modernization within the global body.
He praised the UN as a symbol of hope since its founding in 1945 but warned that its survival depends on constant renewal. Drawing lessons from history, Ruto pointed out that by the late 1930s, the League of Nations had lost credibility and was eventually rendered irrelevant with the outbreak of World War II.
“This history is both a lesson and a warning,” Ruto said, stressing that institutions rarely collapse due to lack of vision but rather from their failure to adapt and remain legitimate.
The Kenyan Head of State noted that global organizations must consistently align themselves with emerging realities. He singled out development finance institutions as examples of bodies lagging behind. According to him, these institutions have failed to keep pace with the needs of today’s multipolar world, particularly the demands of developing nations.
Ruto also highlighted Africa’s continued exclusion from key decision-making roles within the UN, describing it as unjust and detrimental to the organization’s credibility.
“Africa’s exclusion from UN decision-making is not only unacceptable, unfair and grossly unjust, it also undermines the credibility of the United Nations,” he told world leaders.
His remarks drew strong attention from African delegations, who have long called for reforms in the UN Security Council. The council currently lacks permanent representation from the continent, despite Africa’s growing influence on the global stage.
Observers noted that Ruto’s address underscored the urgency of reforming international institutions to ensure fairness, inclusivity, and legitimacy in addressing global challenges.
