Mutua Reveals Impact: Ruto’s Criticism Shakes IMF & World Bank
Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua attributes the influx of world leaders to President William Ruto’s harsh criticism of foreign powers and international financial institutions.
According to a statement issued by Mutua on Friday, July 28, heads of state and diplomats have warmed up to Ruto since he publicly criticized the United Nations, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), and the World Bank.
As a result of Ruto’s new foreign policy, which is reportedly bold, robust, and resolute, the world’s leaders are seeking to establish more partnerships with Kenya.
Iran President Raisi Ebrahim, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Japan’s Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva, World Trade Organisation (WTO) Director-General Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and Canadian Foreign Minister Mélanie Joly are among the leaders who have visited Kenya since the beginning of the year.
Mutua, the former governor of Machakos, highlighted several significant changes Ruto had advocated for, including reengineering the international financial architecture to address its perceived inequity towards the majority of developing nations.
In addition to the international visits by foreign leaders, the CS emphasized that Ruto’s international travel was a direct result of the effective policies and initiatives he presented at various global events.
“Global leadership, financial experts, and economists continue to echo the President’s views on these global and strategic issues.
“It is essential to note that the President remains the primary driver of Kenya’s foreign policy,” the statement read in part.
Mutua added that Ruto’s aspirations for the Bottom-Up economic paradigm were also consistent with his advocacy for global change.
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He added, “This reflects the President’s conviction that there can be no sustainable development and peace without a holistic approach to economic activities and progress.”
On the other hand, he disclosed that the ministry aligned with the president’s strategy to safeguard Kenya Kwanza’s objectives and legacy.
Ruto has emerged as a powerful advocate for reforms within global institutions in recent years, garnering significant support from numerous world leaders, particularly those from the African continent.
Ruto, for example, actively advocated for Africa to send delegates to global events rather than all Presidents traveling to represent their respective countries.
He harshly criticized the United Kingdom for transporting all African presidents to the memorial of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in a bus.
The African Union (UN) accepted his proposition and sent a delegation to the July 29-ending second Russia-Africa summit.
Ruto chose not to attend the event to conduct development visits in the coastal region.
Regarding the IMF and World Bank, Ruto urged the global lenders to loosen their grip on Africa and give African nations a greater say in policies influencing them. He stated that a robust system would give Africans a voice in global affairs.
In response, Julie Kozack, Director of Strategic Communications at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), urged Ruto and other critics to consider the positive influence that the organization’s financial interventions have had on developing countries.
However, French President Emmanuel Macron assured Ruto that his administration would advocate for equitable resource distribution.
Ruto urged France and other nations to restructure financial systems to address the effects of poverty and climate change.
Mutua Reveals Impact: Ruto’s Criticism Shakes IMF & World Bank
