Did Ruto Come Back Empty-Handed from Saudi Arabia?

Questions have been raised over the benefits the country reaped from a trip President William Ruto made to Saudi Arabia on November 10, after Kenya failed to appear on the list of countries that secured deals with the Arab nation. 

Before embarking on the journey, the head of state announced he was going to secure 500,000 jobs for Kenyans during the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Forum, and Kenyans are adamant to know if the president kept his promise.  

Notably, an official presidential statement shared on November 10, reiterated that Ruto attended the forum to forge stronger trade and investment partnerships with Arab nations as well as secure deals on behalf of the country. 

Also, the statement indicated that Ruto “appealed to Arab nations to explore investment opportunities in the African Continental Free Trade Area agreement and make Kenya their gateway.”

In addition, he called for the need for partnership in education, training, and human capital development sectors in Kenya.

Did Ruto Secure Deals and Jobs for Kenyans in Saudi Arabia?

However, despite the many promises, the head of state may have just come back empty handed.

According to a statement by the Saudi Development Fund shared on November 9, the Arab nation signed 14 development loans with 12 African Ministers.

Additionally, the statement indicated that the deals made were worth over Ksh81 billion (over SR 2 billion). The concern, however, is that Kenya was not on the list of the African countries mentioned.

Notably, the Republic of Mozambique took home the lion’s share, securing Ksh7 billion (SAR 187.5 million) for the construction of Muara Dam Project, an additional Ksh7 billion for the construction and equipment of five hospitals and another Ksh7 billion for the upgrade of a road project. 

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“During the Saudi-Arab-African Economic Forum, SFD signed today, 14 development loan agreements with 12 African ministers, worth over SR 2 billion to fund projects in healthcare, water, education, and transportation sectors.

“Additionally, SFD signed an MoU with Africa Finance to collaborate on infrastructure and industrial projects across Africa. These agreements and MoU contribute to the overall prosperity of the continent,” the statement read in part.

Other Countries on the Deal List

Other African countries on the list included the Republic of Niger which secured Ksh4.2 billion, the Republic of Bukina Farso which secured Ksh2 billion, the republic of Benin which secured Ksh6 billion for different projects. 

At the same time, the Republic of Sierra Leone and Burundi both secured Ksh7 billion deals while the Republic of Guinea secured Ksh11 billion. 

On the other hand, Malawi secured deals worth Ksh3 billion, Tanzania secured deals worth Ksh1.9 billion, Cape Verde secured Ksh2.5 billion and Rwanda secured Ksh3 billion worth deals.

Also Read: Ruto Flies Out of the Country After State Address

Likewise, Angola secured Ksh15.2 billion worth deals while the African Finance Corporation signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Arab nation to collaborate and drive sustainable development in Africa. 

Promises Before Saudi Arabia Trip 

Earlier, on October 1, Ruto announced that he would be traveling to Saudi Arabia to sign an agreement that allowed Kenya and the Aarab nation to employ 500,000 Kenyans.

Also, he stated that the employment opportunities would not include domestic work and instead include professional and skilled jobs.

“Those from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) want workers. Next month I will be travelling to Saudi Arabia to sign a deal in which 500,000 workers are needed.

“We are concluding the bilateral labor agreements and almost 12 countries want Kenyans to work there and we have made changes. Kenyans won’t go to do domestic work. We have signed bilateral agreements that include semi-skilled, skilled and professional jobs,” he stated.