Photo tour of Ruto’s foreign trips in 2023

President William Ruto made tens of foreign trips in 2023; what looks like a continuation of the trend he started immediately after assuming office on September 13, 2022.

While he says he can account for all the monies spent during his travels, opposition leader Raila Odinga who describes him as a ‘globetrotting leader’ has been adamant that Ruto is burning away taxpayers’ money despite tough economic times.

Notably, Ruto has toured France and Tanzania thrice and has visited Ethiopia, Saudi Arabia, the UK and the US twice.

Ruto made his first international trip five days after his inauguration to the UK on September 18, 2022, to attend the burial of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

Later, he left for the United States on September 20, 2022, to join world leaders for the 77th Session of the UN General Assembly(UNGA), in New York before making his first trip to an African country – Ethiopia on October 6, 2022.

In four days, Ruto visited three countries, holding meetings in Uganda and Tanzania on October 8, 2022, and October 10, 2022, respectively.

His sixth trip was to Egypt on November 6, 2022, for the United Nations 27th Conference of the Parties (COP27) before heading to the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) on November 21, 2022, where he met DRC President Felix Tshisekedi.

After meeting Tshisekedi, Ruto made his maiden trip to South Korea on November 22, 2022.

On December 3, 2022, President William Ruto visited neighbouring South Sudan where he pledged to extend the movement of goods from the port of Mombasa to South Sudan.

A trip to Eritrea on December 9, 2022, marked his 10th official international visit. Later, he returned to the US on December 14, 2022, for the US-Africa Summit held in Washington DC.

Days later, he went to Qatar where he witnessed his favourite team-France lose to Argentina during the World Cup final.

From Europe to the Middle East and across Africa, here is a photo tour of the Head of State’s foreign trips in 2023.

January

Ruto made his first foreign trip of 2023 to France on January 24.

After visiting France, he headed to Dakar, Senegal for the Feed Africa Summit.

February

In February, William Ruto first visited Bujumbura, Burundi, for the Extra-Ordinary Summit of the East African Community (EAC) Heads of States.

The Head of State later in February flew back to Ethiopia for the 36th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

March

In March, President William Ruto made two international trips to Germany and Belgium.

While in Belgium, he met Prime Minister Alexander Decroo and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Political Consultations that will provide a framework for engagement in partnerships.

April

In April, William Ruto visited two African countries – Rwanda and Uganda.

While in Uganda, the President; “…celebrated the progress made in supporting the transformation of Somalia into a stable, secure and prosperous country.”

May

In May, President William Ruto headed back to the United Kingdom and later to the Netherlands, before he visited Israel, South Africa and Burundi.

Alongside First Lady Rachel, Ruto joined other world leaders at the coronation of Charles III, who was crowned King in London, United Kingdom.

His presence at the historic event took place at Westminster Abbey, was courtesy of an invitation by the King.

Still in the company of Rachel, Ruto left for the Netherlands where he held talks with King Willem-Alexander at Noordeinde Palace at The Hague.

In Israel, Ruto met the President of Israel Isaac Herzog at his Residence in Jerusalem; and agreed to expand our cooperation in trade, agriculture, security and technology.

While in South Africa, President William Ruto received a standing ovation after delivering his speech at the Pan-African Parliament Summit. 

Ruto later headed back to Burundi to join East Africa Community (EAC) Heads of State for a crisis meeting over insecurity in Eastern DRC.

June

In June, President William Ruto made four foreign trips to Zambia, Djibouti, Switzerland and France.

During his visit to Djibouti, the two Heads of State agreed to push for a visa-free regime between Kenya and Djibouti to spur trade.

On June 14, 2023, Ruto left for a two-day visit to Geneva, Switzerland where he attended the International Labour Organisation’s World of Work Summit.

Barely a week later, Ruto returned to France for a two-day New Global Financial Pact Summit.

July

The Head of State made four foreign trips to African countries.

On July 6, 2023, Ruto arrived in Comoros at the invitation of President Azali Assoumani as the chief guest during the 48th anniversary of Independence Day.

After visiting Comoros, he left for a two-day State visit to the Republic of Congo where he held bilateral talks with President Dennis Sassou Nguesso focusing on Kenya-Congo strategic cooperation.

On July 10, Ruto returned to Ethiopia for the IGAD Quartet Heads of State and Government meeting on Sudan held in Addis Ababa.

His final trip in July was in Tanzania where he attended the Africa Heads of State Summit on Human Capital held in Dar Es Salaam.

August

President William Ruto made two international trips in August to Uganda and Mozambique.

On August 13, he headed back to Uganda to hold talks with President Kaguta Museveni on what he termed matters of mutual interest, especially trade, security and agriculture.

September

For the ninth month of the year, Ruto made two international trips to Tanzania and the US. He had previously visited both countries before.

On September 21, 2023, President William Ruto left for a 10-day visit to the United States where he also attended the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meetings for the second time.

While in the US, he also discussed various topics including -Silicon Valley ventures, the grain deal, Inter-State cooperation, Climate Financing, and the Haiti Mission and received a mention and praise from US President Biden.

October

China, Saidi Arabia and Congo were the three countries where President William Ruto visited in October.

Ruto was accompanied by First Lady Rachel Ruto for his China trip.

Later on October 24, 2023, he attended the opening of the Future Investment Initiative at the King Abdul Aziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

On October 28th, the Head of State attended the Summit of the Three Basins on Biodiversity Ecosystems and Tropical Forests, in Brazzaville, the Republic of Congo.

November

In November, the president made four global tours to Germany. France, Tanzania and returned to Saudi Arabia barely weeks after his previous trip.

Later on November 20, he left for Germany to search for more job opportunities for Kenyans.

On November 21, 2023, President William Ruto visited France for the third time where he held discussions on the implementation of vital infrastructural projects with the French President Emmanuel Macron.

The president also addressed the EU Parliament, the 705-member-strong legislative and policy organ of the European Union, where he received another standing ovation.

On November 24, 2023, Ruto travelled to Arusha, Tanzania for the third time for the 23rd Ordinary Summit of the East African Community Heads of State.

December

For the final month of the year, President William Ruto made two global trips to the United Arab Emirates and India.

Ruto was in UAE for the COP28 Climate Summit.