Ruto Renews Push for Africa’s Representation at the UN Security Council
By Shadrack Mutai || Kass Digital
Africa has renewed its demand for greater representation at the United Nations Security Council, calling for two permanent and two non-permanent seats with full rights and privileges.
Speaking at the Second World Summit for Social Development in Doha, Qatar, President William Ruto said the continent’s voice must be amplified in global decision-making to ensure fair representation for people living in poverty.
He noted that with the African Union declaring 2025 as the Year of Justice for Africans and People of African Descent, the push for inclusion marks a defining step toward healing and accountability for the crimes of slavery, colonization, apartheid, and exploitation that have left lasting harm.
The meeting was attended by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and several heads of state and government.
President Ruto reminded delegates that although 30 years have passed since the first summit in Copenhagen, poverty, unemployment, and social exclusion remain persistent global challenges.
The President also pressed for comprehensive reforms of the international financial architecture, urging fairness, transparency, and responsiveness to the needs of developing nations.
Kenya’s Social Development Agenda
President Ruto highlighted Kenya’s domestic progress under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA), outlining initiatives targeting education, employment, housing, and healthcare.
Education: Kenya has hired 76,000 new teachers, with the number set to hit 100,000 by 2026, improving the teacher-to-learner ratio to meet UNESCO standards.
Youth Empowerment: The Hustler Fund has disbursed KSh80 billion to over 26.7 million Kenyans, while the upcoming NYOTA Project will train and finance one million youth over five years.
Social Protection: The Inua Jamii programme now supports 1.7 million vulnerable families.
Housing: Over 230,000 affordable units are under construction, employing 320,000 Kenyans.
Labour Export: More than 400,000 Kenyans have secured jobs abroad, boosting remittances.
Healthcare: Medical insurance coverage has grown from 8 million in 2023 to 27.2 million, ensuring universal access to care.
The President cautioned against rising isolationism and nationalism, urging nations to act in solidarity to dismantle structures that perpetuate inequality.
