President William Ruto has questioned reports describing regional infrastructure plans as a “headache,” asking how joint development efforts among East African countries could be viewed negatively.
Speaking during a mining summit on Tuesday, Ruto defended plans by Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania and South Sudan to work together on a shared oil refinery.
“When you read the headline of one of the dailies, it says ‘Uganda’s headache’ there was no headache. How does three countries coming together to build infrastructure be a headache?… ?” he posed.
The President said the region is exploring ways to combine resources and opportunities, including discussions on establishing a joint refinery.
“We are going to do this together. We will harness the synergies of Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya and South Sudan so that we have one big refinery here. That is the benefit of coming together,” he said.
Ruto urged a shift in how Africa’s development efforts are framed, calling on citizens and stakeholders to adopt a more positive outlook.
“I want to persuade us to believe in ourselves and our continent. Let us believe in our country and let us talk about it positively so that we can harness the full potential of who we are,” he said.
He added that the region must utilise its own resources for development, particularly in the oil sector.
“The oil resources that we have in East Africa cannot be exported to be refined elsewhere. We want to use our own,” he said.
Ruto further called for a long-term regional focus, urging cooperation as countries plan for the future.
“I persuade you to focus as a region to help us liberate ourselves, as we stretch our imagination to 2050,” he added.
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