President William Ruto addressed Russian investors at the Russia‑Kenya Business Roundtable in Moscow on 28 October 2026, urging a partnership that combines Russian capital, technology and industrial expertise with Kenya’s resources, talent and access to African markets.

Ruto highlighted that Russia’s strengths in energy, mining, fertiliser production, engineering, transport and manufacturing align with Kenya’s industrialisation priorities, and he called for joint projects in these sectors.

He noted that Kenya’s current trade with Russia totals about $380 million, with Kenyan exports of $52 million—mainly tea, coffee, flowers and produce—and imports of $330 million, including wheat, fertilisers and steel products.

Russian investment in Kenya was estimated at $22 million, a figure Ruto said should be expanded through new manufacturing, agricultural processing and mineral beneficiation projects.

The president urged Russian companies to set up production facilities and joint ventures with Kenyan firms, using Kenya as a hub for regional and global distribution, and emphasized that success will be measured by completed projects, new industries and jobs created rather than merely signed agreements.

Ruto framed the outreach as a shift away from Africa’s historic role as a raw‑material exporter and finished‑goods importer, advocating partnerships based on sovereign equality, mutual respect and shared prosperity rather than dependency.