Ruto in Moscow Today: Pitches Ksh5.2 trillion Infrastructure Plan to Russian Investors

President William Ruto is welcomed on arrival in Moscow, Russia, ahead of the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum. Photo: Russian Embassy in Kenya

President William Ruto arrived in Moscow, Russia today, Wednesday October 28, 2026, for the Third Russia-Africa Summit.

As reported by Citizen Tv, President Ruto speaking at the Russia-Kenya Business Roundtable in Moscow, pitched a massive Ksh5.2 trillion infrastructure plan for Kenya over the next ten years. He invited Russian investors to partner with Kenya.

The president told Russian business leaders to “Invest in Kenya, Manufacture in Kenya”. He said Kenya wants factories buit in Kenya, not just goods imported from abroad.

According to trade data, Kenya’s relationship with Russia is still unbalanced. In 2025, Kenya exported goods worth Ksh 6.76 billion to Russia, but imported goods worth Ksh 42.88 billion from Russia. The president said this gap must be closed by increasing manufacturing and value addition in Kenya.

Ruto said Kenya is looking for investors in key sectors including affordable fertilizer production, energy generation, mining, transport and affordable housing.

He said Kenya is a gateway to the East African market of over 300 million people and the wider African market of 1.4 billion people under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The President said his government has created a friendly business environment through tax incentives, removal of bureaucracy and improved infrastructure like the Standard Gauge Railway and Lamu Port.

This is Ruto’s first official visit to Russia since he became President in 2022. He is expected to hold bilateral talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin on trade, security and energy cooperation.

Back home, Kenyans have mixed reactions. Some support the move to seek new investors beyond the West, while others want the government to first fix the high cost of living.

The President is accompanied by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and other senior government officials.

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