Monday 24th November 2025
by inAfrika Newsroom
Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim has publicly hailed President William Ruto’s reforms, with Malaysia praises Ruto comments framing the Kenyan leader as a potential “star in Africa.” Speaking at a state banquet in Nairobi, Anwar singled out Kenya’s affordable housing programme and anti-poverty agenda as examples of “remarkable leadership” focused on ordinary citizens.
Anwar said he drew lessons from the housing drive, arguing that power should be used to assist the poor rather than entrench elites. In response, Ruto praised Malaysia’s own transformation story and announced a KSh 5 trillion investment plan covering agriculture, energy, roads and human capital, inspired partly by Kuala Lumpur’s development path.
Officials in both capitals said talks will continue on trade, investment and policy dialogue, with Malaysia praises Ruto remarks seen as a signal of interest in deeper Asian participation in Kenyan projects. The visit is Anwar’s first official trip to Kenya since taking office in 2022, underlining a broader trend of South-South engagement beyond traditional Western partners.
Malaysia praises Ruto in ways that go beyond flattery, because it frames Kenya as a case study in how emerging economies learn from one another. When Asian partners engage African governments around housing, infrastructure and industrial policy, they can bring practical experience rather than abstract lectures. That creates room for more diverse financing sources and policy options. It also reminds African leaders that credibility is built on visible delivery, not just rhetoric. If Kenya uses this momentum to secure transparent, competitive deals and share lessons with neighbours, the relationship could broaden South-South cooperation and strengthen Africa’s bargaining power with all external partners.
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