President Ruto unveils diaspora investment platform in New York
The launch was accompanied by the signing of a joint Declaration of Intent involving the Government of Kenya, the United Nations and Equity Group Holdings.
President William Ruto yesterday evening unveiled a new digital platform aimed at connecting Kenyans living abroad with investment opportunities in Kenya, saying the diaspora is a critical pillar of the country’s economic growth.
Ruto launched the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform in New York on Sunday, September 20, 2026, during a meeting with Kenyans living in the United States on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
The platform, spearheaded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Department for Diaspora Affairs, is designed to provide Kenyans abroad and other investors with information on investment opportunities while facilitating partnerships in community projects, financing of micro, small and medium enterprises, enterprise development and skills transfer.
The launch was accompanied by the signing of a joint Declaration of Intent involving the Government of Kenya, the United Nations and Equity Group Holdings.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi who also doubles as the Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs signed on behalf of the government, Equity Group Holdings CEO James Mwangi represented the private sector, while UN Resident Coordinator in Kenya Garry Conille signed on behalf of the diaspora initiative.
Speaking at the event, Ruto described the diaspora as an important “part of Kenya’s growth story”, citing not only the billions of shillings sent home through remittances but also the expertise, innovation, investment and international networks built by Kenyans abroad.
“This platform we have unveiled today has been developed to elevate the diaspora role in community projects, financing MSMEs, creating enterprises and transferring skills and knowledge while connecting Kenyans abroad to opportunities that meaningfully contribute to national transformation,” Ruto said.
He said the Government was seeking to establish a stronger link between Kenyans abroad and opportunities at home based on trust, transparency and measurable results.
“We want to make it easier for those in Diaspora to convert assets and enterprises into long-term wealth,” he said.
Ruto, however, stressed that credibility would be crucial to the success of the initiative.
“Trust must be at the centre for this initiative to succeed. Information must be reliable and transparency should be the operating principle if the platform has to achieve its objectives,” he said.
The President identified housing, healthcare and agriculture among sectors offering investment opportunities to Kenyans in the diaspora, while also urging them to deploy their professional expertise and knowledge in the country’s development.
The President also defended the Government-to-Government fuel importation model, dismissing criticism that selected local oil marketers were acting as expensive intermediaries.
“If there is anything we got right immediately we took over the leadership of the country in 2022, it was to eliminate brokers in the importation of fuel. At the time, most fuel stations had run empty,” Ruto said.
He maintained that the arrangement had stabilised fuel supplies and reduced pressure on foreign exchange, adding that other countries had studied Kenya’s model.
Ruto also used the meeting to highlight his administration’s record, urging Kenyans abroad not to rely solely on social media for information about developments in the country.
He cited reforms in agriculture, education, healthcare, housing, savings, digital infrastructure and roads.
On national savings, Ruto said NSSF assets had risen from Sh320 billion in 2023 to Sh690 billion, following the introduction of increased contributions.
He projected that national savings would reach Sh1trillion by June 2027.
The President also defended the Social Health Authority, saying it had registered 33 million Kenyans since October 2024, compared with six to seven million registered members under the former National Health Insurance Fund.
“Through SHA, we have transformed the delivery of health in Kenya,” he said.
Housing PS Charles Hinga and SHA CEO Mercy Mwangangi briefed the diaspora on investment opportunities, while Equity’s James Mwangi and the UN Resident Coordinator outlined their organisations’ roles in the new platform.
Cabinet Secretaries Opiyo Wandayi, Alice Wahome, Hassan Joho, Deborah Mulongo and Lee Kinyanjui were among senior Government officials accompanying the President.
