Diaspora Affairs Engagement

WE ARE BUILDING A MORE INCLUSIVE, EMPOWERED, AND FUTURE-READY KENYA-PRES. RUTO

Share: Facebook | Twitter | Whatsapp | Linkedin Visits: 93

---

Wednesday, July 2, 2025(LONDON, UK)__H.E President William Ruto, Ph.D, has reaffirmed the Government’s steadfast commitment to building a more inclusive, empowered, and future-ready Kenya, guided by three core pillars: equitable access to education and healthcare, mass job creation through housing and digital innovation, and expanding global opportunities for Kenyan workers.

Addressing a diaspora town hall in London, President Ruto presented national agenda focused on ensuring equal opportunities for all Kenyans, regardless of their background or economic status.

To tackle disparities in education, the Government is investing in over 1,600 new science laboratories nationwide, aiming to provide children in rural and under-served communities with the same learning opportunities as those in urban areas, especially in critical STEM subjects.

President Ruto emphasized that healthcare is a basic right, not a privilege. Under the new Universal Health Coverage (UHC) system, access to quality healthcare will be determined by need, not income. “Previously, the poor contributed 10% of their earnings for healthcare, while the wealthy paid just 0.01%. That was unjust,” he stated.

A new law now requires all Kenyans to contribute 2.75% of their income to the Social Health Authority (SHA), creating a fairer system. The results are already evident, with 50,000 people registering daily and total SHA enrollment reaching 24 million.

The President also highlighted the Affordable Housing Programme as a key driver of economic growth and urban transformation. From Nairobi to Kisumu, the largest housing projects are now part of this initiative, stimulating local manufacturing and creating thousands of jobs.

 “This program will fundamentally change Kenya,” he said, noting its aim to provide dignified housing for 7 million Kenyans currently living in slums.

Recognizing Kenya’s strength in human capital, President Ruto stressed the expansion of the Digital Superhighway to generate digital jobs for young people.

“Kenya has the best human capital in the world. As the global workforce shifts, 40% will come from Africa by 2050. We must prepare now,” he urged.

To support Kenyans seeking employment abroad, the Government has tightened oversight of labor migration, deregistering over 900 non-compliant recruitment agencies and ensuring all overseas job openings are transparently posted on the National Employment Authority (NEA) portal.

These reforms are yielding results—over 400,000 Kenyans have secured jobs in sectors such as healthcare, construction, hospitality, and ICT in various countries, significantly boosting remittances, which remain a vital part of Kenya’s economy.

Among those present at the event were H.E Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign and Diaspora Affairs; Hon. John Mbadi, CS-National Treasury; Mr. Davis Chirchir-CS-Roads and Transport; Hon. Lee Kinyanjui-CS Investments, Trade and Industry, Ms. Roseline K. Njogu, PS-Diaspora Affairs; PS Mr. Charles Hinga,PS-Housing and Urban Development; Mr. Abubakar Hassan, PS Investments, Dr. Ouma Oluga,PS-Medical Services, and other senior government officials.