President William Ruto Address at Yokohoma City Assembly
Address by president William Ruto at the Yokohama city assembly on hist visit to Japan. The full speech is available below the attached image.
His Excellency Shibuya Takeshi, President of Yokohama City Council, Your Lordship Takeharu Yamanaka, Mayor of Yokohama, Honourable Members of the Assembly, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
I express my deepest gratitude for the warm welcome and generous hospitality extended to me and my delegation in this magnificent city of Yokohama since our arrival here in Japan.
It is also my profound honour to stand before this august Assembly, which represents one of the world’s most dynamic urban centres. Yokohama is not only a thriving industrial hub and a magnet for foreign direct investment, but it is also an internationally recognised centre of commerce, culture, and innovation. Its reputation as a Global City of the Future is well earned and richly deserved.
Mr President, Honourable Members, as a smart city, Yokohama demonstrates how research, innovation, and human ingenuity can transform societies and build resilient, future-ready communities. This city embodies the promise that with vision and sustained effort, meaningful and inclusive development is possible. Kenya greatly values the lessons and opportunities for collaboration that Yokohama presents.
Our theme today, People-to-People Partnership for Shared Prosperity, captures the true spirit of international cooperation. Ultimately, relationships between nations must serve the common good of their citizens.
These ties are best cultivated through cultural exchanges, educational programmes, sporting collaboration, and knowledge sharing. Such interactions break down stereotypes, deepen cultural understanding, bridge divides, prevent conflict, and nurture trust. When people meet, learn from each other, and share experiences, they become formidable, credible ambassadors of peace, mutual understanding, and prosperity.
Already, vibrant partnerships exist between Kenya and Yokohama. For example, the exchange programme between Yokohama Commercial High School and Alliance High School in Kenya has fostered authentic cross-cultural and educational experiences for students in both countries. Such initiatives nurture friendships that last a lifetime. Kenya welcomes the expansion of similar programmes in more schools and universities.
Sport is another powerful channel of connection between Kenya and Japan. Since the 1980s, our athletic ties have flourished. I pay tribute to Douglas Wakihuri, the legendary Kenyan marathoner who blazed the trail as the first Kenyan athlete to train and work in Japan. His example inspired hundreds of other athletes to follow in his footsteps.
Today, more than 200 Kenyan athletes are engaged in Japanese sporting institutions, strengthening people-to-people ties and inspiring new generations. This is a remarkable story of shared sporting passion and excellence.
I want to encourage Japanese sporting clubs in rugby, volleyball, football, and other disciplines to explore Kenya’s pool of emerging talent. I also invite our Japanese partners to participate in our schools’ drama and music festivals, which showcase a rich talent pool and provide a unique opportunity for cultural exchange and talent development, while forming a strong base for global understanding of cultures.
Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, Kenya is proud to have hosted TICAD VI in 2016, the first TICAD ever convened outside Japan. That milestone affirmed Africa’s growing role in shaping its development agenda and remains a towering reminder of our shared commitment to partnership. The TICAD process continues to strengthen Africa–Japan cooperation in investment, infrastructure, human capital, and sustainable growth.
Kenya and Japan enjoy a friendship that has flourished for over six decades. During this time, Japan has been a steady partner in our development journey. Japan’s contribution is visible across key sectors: infrastructure, agriculture, water, energy, health, and human resource development. From geothermal power generation to the transformation of Mombasa Port into a global maritime hub, Japan’s support has been instrumental in positioning Kenya as a strategic gateway into Africa.
With more than 120 Japanese companies thriving in Kenya, our private-sector collaboration is robust and expanding. These firms contribute to job creation, technology transfer, and industrial growth while serving as anchors of Kenya’s economic transformation.
Later today, I will preside over the Kenya Investment Forum here in Yokohama. This event, organised in partnership with the City of Yokohama, will showcase Kenya’s dynamic investment landscape and highlight priority sectors from infrastructure and renewable energy to agribusiness and digital innovation.
I urge the private sector in Yokohama to seize the boundless opportunities in Kenya. Our relationship must rise to a higher level that fully harnesses the opportunities that exist in my country. Our Export Processing Zones and Special Economic Zones provide world-class benchmarks for investors. Kenya is also home to one of Africa’s most vibrant technology ecosystems, widely known as the Silicon Savannah.
I particularly invite the Japanese private sector to seize the immense opportunities that Kenya presents as the gateway to Africa’s growth. Our country boasts a large pool of well-educated, tech-savvy young people who are adequately equipped to work with the most advanced technologies to drive innovation across all sectors.
I am pleased to note that many Japanese companies have already begun recruiting Kenyan graduates for training and deployment in Japan. The Government of Kenya is committed to formalising labour mobility frameworks with Japan, enabling more young Kenyans to contribute to Japan’s economy while deepening the bonds between our peoples.
Honourable members, Kenya’s energy mix is already over 90 per cent green and renewable, giving investors access to reliable, competitively priced power with one of the lowest carbon footprints globally; an ideal platform to anchor industrial capacity. In addition, our agricultural sector offers high-quality products produced through sustainable practices, ensuring minimal carbon footprint and alignment with global climate-conscious supply chains. These advantages, coupled with Kenya’s dynamic market and regional connectivity, make our country the most strategic destination for Japanese investment in Africa.
Excellencies, Kenya is the cradle of mankind and the custodian of humanity’s earliest heritage. Magical Kenya offers breathtaking landscapes, iconic wildlife, and diverse cultures. That is why I have always said that visitors to Kenya are not merely tourists; they are returning home. We warmly welcome more visitors from Japan to discover the magic of our country, the home of original wonder.
Kenya is equally proud to be the gateway to the East African Community (EAC), a regional bloc of eight nations with a population of over 330 million and a combined GDP of nearly USD 336 billion. This integration has created a dynamic common market with simplified cross-border trade, a talented workforce, and tremendous growth potential. With the alignment of the EAC and the African Continental Free Trade Area, investors gain access not only to East Africa but also to the entire African continent.
I therefore invite Japan, and especially the business community of Yokohama, to expand engagement with the EAC. Just as Yokohama is Japan’s gateway to the world, Kenya is your gateway to East Africa and the wider African continent.
As I conclude, allow me to reiterate that humanity has always thrived through cooperation. In today’s interconnected world, our interdependence is more evident than ever — whether responding to pandemics, mitigating climate change, combating food insecurity, or maintaining peace.
Kenya is committed to working with Japan and the global community to confront these challenges together and to explore opportunities for our mutual benefit. Our shared values of democracy, freedom, and the rule of law give us a solid foundation to pursue collective solutions for humanity.
Asanteni Sana.
I thank you.
Arigatou Gozaimasu.