Ruto to Meet Kenyan Diaspora, Launch New Platform in New York

President William Ruto is set to meet Kenyans living in the United States during a Presidential Diaspora Engagement scheduled to take place in New York on Sunday, September 20.

In a notice on Friday, September 18, the Kenyan Embassy in Washington D.C said the event will be hosted in collaboration with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs.

The embassy announced the meeting while inviting Kenyans in the US to attend the presidential engagement.

"The Embassy of the Republic of Kenya in Washington, D.C., in collaboration with the State Department for Diaspora Affairs - Kenya, cordially invites all Kenyans residing in the United States to a landmark Presidential Diaspora Engagement, to be graced by President William Ruto," the notice read.

The engagement will be held at Convene, 30 Hudson Yards, New York, from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).

According to the embassy, the meeting will provide an opportunity for Kenyans abroad to directly engage with the President on issues affecting the diaspora, government priorities and ways of strengthening their contribution to the country's development.

"The engagement will provide an important platform for direct interaction between the President and the Kenyan diaspora, facilitating dialogue on diaspora perspectives, the Government's priorities, and opportunities to strengthen partnerships for national development," the notice added.

A key item on the programme will be the launch of the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform (KDIP), which is intended to create additional opportunities for Kenyans living abroad to participate in investment and national development initiatives.

The platform is also expected to provide a mechanism for continued engagement between the Government and Kenyans in the diaspora beyond the presidential meeting.

"A key highlight of the event will be the official launch of the Kenya Diaspora Impact Platform (KDIP), an initiative designed to deepen diaspora engagement and expand opportunities for investment and participation in national development. The platform will also foster sustained and meaningful dialogue between Kenyans abroad and the Government of Kenya," the notice further read.

Kenyans planning to attend the event have been directed to register in advance through diaspora.go.ke.

The embassy said entry will be strictly restricted to people who have registered, with walk-ins not allowed at the venue.

Attendees will also be required to carry a valid government-issued identification document for verification before being admitted. Acceptable documents include a national identity card, driver's licence or passport.

This comes a day after Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei announced that Ruto is set to fly out to the U.S. this week. 

Addressing the media on Thursday, September 17, Sing’Oei said the Head of State is scheduled to attend the 81st United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) high-level week. 

According to PS Sing’Oei, President Ruto will leave the country later in the week for the high-level event. 

"We are happy to announce that the President agreed to attend this UNGA and therefore we are here to inform you that the President will be departing the capital later this week," he said.

The UNGA high-level week will run from Tuesday September 22 to September 26, 2026. 

The event will be attended by dignitaries and heads of government from all 193 UN member states.