Ruto banking on China's backing to test Trump and rewrite the rules at UNGA

President William Ruto heads to the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) later this month determined to spearhead calls for reforms at the world body, buoyed by Chinese President Xi Jinping’s fresh appeal for a ‘more just and equitable’ global governance system, a stance that has unsettled Washington.

China’s chargé d’affaires in Nairobi, Zhang Zhizhong, rallied Nairobi to back Xi’s new Global Governance Initiative (GGI), launched at a recent Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) summit in Tianjin, China.

“China is ready to work with Kenya and other Global South countries to carry out exemplary cooperation on promoting the Global Governance Initiative,” Zhang told a symposium in Nairobi.”

“The GGI calls for sovereign equality, adherence to international law, true multilateralism, and concrete actions – all in line with the UN Charter.”

Xi earlier on cast the plan as the fourth in a suite of Chinese-led frameworks after his Global Development, Global Security and Global Civilization initiatives. 

He told SCO leaders: “We should maintain that all countries, regardless of size, strength and wealth, are equal participants, decision-makers and beneficiaries in global governance … We should promote greater democracy in international relations and increase the representation and voice of developing countries.”

The initiative, Xi added, aims to reduce the “North-South gap” and safeguard common interests, warning against domination by “a few countries.” Beijing has framed it as an attempt to reform rather than replace the UN system.

For Ruto, the timing is significant. He has consistently pressed for the expansion of the UN Security Council to give Africa permanent representation and for reform of international financial institutions.

“Africa can no longer remain on the periphery of decision-making that affects the destiny of its people,” Ruto said in Addis Ababa this week, addressing African Union officials during a Climate Summit ahead of the UNGA. “The United Nations must reflect the realities of the 21st century.”

Kenya remains a close US security ally, but Ruto has leaned toward Beijing on global governance attracting Washington’s scrutiny.

In Washington, a US senator recently tabled a motion urging a review of Kenya’s preferential trade and security status, citing concerns over Nairobi’s deepening ties with Beijing.

Washington, while supporting limited UN reforms, views China’s initiatives as attempts to dilute Western influence in multilateral forums according to insiders.
Analysts say this year’s UNGA will test whether Kenya can press for reforms without alienating Washington — and whether China can turn its vision into concrete changes.

“The moment for reform is now,” Ruto said in Addis. “The credibility of the United Nations depends on it.”

Xi set out five principles for the GGI: sovereign equality, adherence to international law, “true multilateralism” (a term diplomats use to describe decision-making by many rather than domination by one or a few), people-centred development, and results-driven cooperation.

“We should continue to dismantle walls, not erect them; we should seek integration, not decoupling,” Xi said in a thinly veiled rebuke of US calls for economic distancing from China.

The plan drew support at the SCO, whose members include China, Russia, India and Central Asian states, with Iran and others as observers. Foreign Minister Wang Yi called it the “biggest highlight” of the summit.

For many African leaders, the appeal lies in its emphasis on representation and development. Africa, home to 1.4 billion people across 54 nations, has no permanent Security Council seat and holds less than 5 per cent of voting power at the IMF and World Bank a reality Ruto has decried.

“Global governance has lagged behind the transformations of our age,” said Stephen Ndegwa, a Kenyan academic at the Nairobi symposium. “The Global Governance Initiative ensures the Global South, particularly Africa, is not a bystander but a co-architect of the international order.”

The United States has long voiced concern about China’s growing sway in Africa particularly Kenya. While it acknowledges the need to modernise global institutions, US officials argue Beijing’s proposals mask a bid to rewrite rules in its favour.

“China’s narrative is attractive because it resonates with legitimate frustrations of the Global South,” said a Western diplomat in Nairobi. “But beneath the rhetoric of equality, there’s a power game – and the US knows it.”

Whether Ruto’s partnership with Beijing results in lasting reform or deepens tensions with Washington will likely become clearer in New York, analysts said.

Xi, speaking at a virtual BRICS summit on September 8, however doubled down on his pitch:

“The Global Governance Initiative that I proposed is aimed at galvanizing joint global action for a more just and equitable global governance system … We should actively promote greater democracy in international relations and increase the representation and voice of Global South countries.”

As the UNGA opens, Ruto and Xi appear united in urgency even as Trump’s spotlight on Kenya expected to heighten, analysts said.