Saboti Member of Parliament Caleb Amisi has spoken out strongly regarding reports that President William Ruto was allegedly snubbed by some African heads of state during his recent trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
According to Amisi, what transpired in New York is a clear reflection of deeper challenges facing Kenya’s foreign relations under the current administration.
He argued that President Ruto’s government has failed to craft a coherent and credible foreign policy, leaving the country increasingly isolated on the global stage. In his view, Kenya, which once stood as a respected voice in African and global diplomacy, is now struggling to command the same influence and respect it previously enjoyed.
Amisi attributed these diplomatic challenges to what he described as a combination of poor decision-making, corruption, arrogance, and a leadership style that resists criticism.
He accused the Kenya Kwanza administration of projecting a “know-it-all” image, which he believes alienates both local citizens and foreign partners. By overlooking accountability and governance concerns at home, Amisi claimed, the President is eroding Kenya’s credibility abroad.
The legislator further criticized the administration for focusing heavily on foreign trips that are often promoted as efforts to secure investments and economic partnerships.
Despite the frequent travels, Amisi noted, the benefits of these engagements are yet to be felt by ordinary Kenyans. Instead of creating jobs, lowering the cost of living, or improving livelihoods, he argued, these trips have become expensive spectacles with little measurable impact.
Amisi also highlighted what he termed as disturbing domestic trends that are affecting Kenya’s global image. He mentioned persistent reports of corruption, unresolved scandals within government, and the alleged abductions or disappearances of young people.
According to him, these issues are not just internal governance failures but matters that international observers and fellow African leaders cannot ignore. They feed into perceptions that Kenya’s leadership is untrustworthy, thereby weakening its position in regional and global negotiations.
The MP suggested that the apparent reluctance of other African leaders to associate closely with President Ruto may stem from concerns over transparency and accountability. Diplomacy, he emphasized, is built on trust and credibility, values he believes the Kenyan government is failing to uphold.
The more Kenya is linked with corruption scandals, unanswered human rights questions, and arrogance in leadership, the harder it becomes to build consensus and cooperation with peers on the continent.
Amisi’s remarks also tied into broader opposition criticism of the Kenya Kwanza administration. Opposition leaders have consistently accused the government of neglecting pressing domestic challenges such as unemployment, the high cost of living, and the need for inclusive governance.
They argue that the administration’s obsession with international appearances has come at the expense of ordinary citizens who are grappling with economic hardship.
Caleb Amisi’s statement painted a picture of a country at risk of losing its hard-earned diplomatic stature.
He urged the government to confront governance failures at home, embrace humility, and realign Kenya’s foreign policy so that it reflects both national priorities and international credibility.
https://x.com/Honcalebamisi/status/1971085764168646692
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