‘Transform Your Country From Third To First World!’ – Ruto Urges Kenyans In Qatar
President William Ruto has asked Kenyans in the diaspora to support his efforts to restructure the economy and elevate the country from Third World status to the ranks of wealthy countries.
The President stated that the Kenyan diaspora, which remitted $5 billion (KSh650 billion) last year, has a significant role to play in driving the country’s prosperity.
Ruto addressed Kenyans living in Qatar on the sidelines of the UN Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha on Tuesday evening.
“In 2023, we had people on the streets with sufurias on their heads because the price of unga had reached KSh250. They have since left,” he said.
He stated that Kenyans are appreciated and recognised around the world for their strong work ethic, which should be used to help the country flourish.
Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Minister for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, was joined by Alfred Mutua, Labour Cabinet Secretary, and Principal Secretaries.
We are empowering Kenyans in the diaspora to thrive and contribute to national growth. We have streamlined diaspora services, reducing passport processing time from three months to just three days for those with job offers, and we are facilitating their travel to take up these… pic.twitter.com/T48HGfmWJO
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) November 4, 2025
The President told the audience that he had spoken with late former Prime Minister Raila Odinga and former President Uhuru Kenyatta and conveyed his vision for drastically transforming Kenya.
He reviewed the meeting’s development progress back home, stating that Kenya is making significant achievements in all areas of the economy.
He emphasized that this was achieved through agricultural reforms, primarily by subsidizing production rather than consumption.
He pointed out that registering farmers allowed for precise statistics on the amount and type of farming they do.
Furthermore, he said that the digitization of fertiliser and seed distribution had eliminated cartels and middlemen who had long taken advantage of farmers’ efforts.
Similarly, he informed the meeting that due to sugar sector changes, production has increased from 600,000 metric tons in 2023 to 815,000 tonnes in 2024, and is expected to reach a million tonnes next year.
President Ruto emphasized that by 2028, Kenya will be a net sugar exporter.
The President expressed his delight that many Kenyans were working in Qatar and earning enough money to support themselves and their families back home.
“You feel a sense of pride when you see citizens of your country in different places of the world,” he said.
He stated that the government will reduce the cost of sending money back home, which is currently between 5 and 7 percent of the amount remitted.
“I have instructed the Central Bank of Kenya to work with the International Association of Money Transfer Networks so that we can find a much more cost-effective mechanism of sending money back home,” he said.
The President complimented the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, led by Principal Secretary Rosline Njogu, for improving the relationship between Kenyans in the diaspora and the government via proactive engagement.
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Mr Mudavadi congratulated Kenyans in the diaspora for playing an important part in stabilising the Kenyan economy and for carrying out their tasks diligently abroad.
“We are getting less and less incidences of Kenyans violating laws in other countries. By and large, the reputation of Kenyans is very good across the globe,” he said.
Dr. Omar Farah, chairman of Kenyans residing in Qatar, stated that they are willing to work with the government to drive Kenya’s economic growth.
“We are not asking to be remembered; we are asking to be included. We are not asking for favours; we are offering partnership. We are not just Kenyans abroad; we are Kenya abroad,” he said.
‘Transform Your Country From Third To First World!’ – Ruto Urges Kenyans In Qatar
