President Ruto urges global unity to fight poverty, inequality at Doha summit
Highlighting persistent inequality despite decades of progress in science, technology, and innovation, President Ruto stressed that no country can succeed in isolation.
At the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, President William Ruto called on nations to strengthen cooperation to fight poverty, create jobs, and promote social inclusion across the globe.
Highlighting persistent inequality despite decades of progress in science, technology, and innovation, he stressed that no country can succeed in isolation.
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“Poverty, inequality, unemployment, and social exclusion persist and, in far too many places, they have deepened,” Ruto said on Tuesday, urging global leaders to renew their commitment to shared prosperity.
He noted that while national policies are crucial, international solidarity is equally necessary to overcome structural barriers that perpetuate exclusion worldwide.
President Ruto showcased Kenya’s approach as an example of how inclusive policies can deliver tangible results.
Through the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, Kenya has prioritised education, economic empowerment, and social protection.
The country has fully adopted the Competency-Based Education and Training system, focusing on practical skills, innovation, and lifelong learning, while introducing a student-centred funding model to ensure access to higher education for all.
In the last three years, 76,000 new teachers have been recruited, with plans to reach 100,000 by January 2026, improving the teacher-to-student ratio from 1:45 to 1:29. “We are putting Kenya on course to meet UNESCO’s 1:25 benchmark by 2027,” Ruto said.
The government has also expanded technical and vocational institutions to equip learners with market-ready skills for industry and entrepreneurship.
The President further stated that economic initiatives have empowered millions.
The Financial Inclusion Fund, also called the Hustler Fund, has disbursed 80 billion shillings to 26.7 million Kenyans, with more than 9.5 million repeat borrowers, including five million who have restored their creditworthiness.
In addition, the National Youth Opportunities Towards Advancement Project will train one million young Kenyans over five years, supporting start-ups and providing access to government procurement.
Ruto highlighted Kenya’s social safety nets and housing programs, which now support over 1.7 million vulnerable households and employ more than 320,000 people through the construction of 230,000 affordable homes.
Labour mobility has also expanded, with over 400,000 Kenyans securing jobs abroad in three years, while nearly two million citizens have been trained in digital skills, and 300,000 youth have accessed digital jobs.
Health coverage has risen from 8 million in 2023 to 27.2 million today, ensuring care is accessible to all.
On the global stage, Ruto expressed concern over weakened international solidarity, pointing to inequitable vaccine distribution, unmet climate finance commitments, and systems that favour power over partnership.
“The Doha Summit must renew our shared resolve to act decisively, both as individual nations and as a united global community, to eradicate poverty, create decent work, and advance social inclusion,” he said.
The President also called on the UN to maintain a balanced focus on peace, human rights, and development, emphasising that these pillars are inseparable in sustaining global stability and human dignity.
Kenya’s participation underscored its commitment to inclusive development at home while championing stronger international collaboration for a fairer and more resilient world.
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