Kenya backing calls to reform United Nations, says Ruto

Deputy President William Ruto during a tour of the Guiyang Olympics Sports Centre, Guizhou Province, China. The company that built the facility also constructed the Kasarani Safaricom Stadium.This was on 08/07/2016. PHOTO BY DANIEL ONYANCHA.

Kenya is among 10 African countries that have supported calls to reform of the United Nations, Deputy President William Ruto has said.

Towards this end, the country will back China in pressing for these changes, said DP Ruto.

Speaking when he met with Yu Zhengsheng, the chairman of Chinese Peoples Political Consultative Conference and the governor of province of Guiyan province Sun Zhigang in Guiyan province yesterday, the DP said Kenya supports China on its One China Policy

"We are among the nations that believe the UN must be reformed. We want every nation of the world to feel they are part of the UN," said Ruto.

China has been pushing for reforms in the Security Council to make it more representative and efficient in fulfilling its responsibilities of maintaining international peace.

 Zhengsheng welcomed Kenya's push for a new model of engagement where  the private sector is involved in funding projects rather than the government seeking donor funds or foreign loans to pay for these projects.

 "It is a good idea to have Chinese investing in  Kenya in ventures that are profitable as opposed to Kenya seeking loans from China," said Mr Zhengsheng.

Meanwhile, Ruto has urged banks to invest in the construction of toll stations to manage roads through Public Private Partnerships.

Speaking when he met top officials of China Development Bank, he called for greater engagement with the private sector.

"We ask banks and other financial institutions to work closely with the private sector in driving the wheels of our economy as opposed to direct lending of funds to the Government for construction of roads and other development projects," said Mr Ruto.

Earlier, Ruto toured Guiyan Olympic Sports Centre that was constructed by the same contractors that developed the Kasarani Sports Centre.