Kenya’s president Ruto quells sea-access tension after meeting with Museveni

• Ruto dismissed online claims of regional tension after Museveni’s sea-access remarks.

• Kenya reaffirmed Uganda’s guaranteed access to the Indian Ocean via its corridor.

• Leaders emphasized unity and joint development during the Devki factory groundbreaking.

The President of Kenya, H.E. William Ruto, has come out to pour cold water on the heated online exchanges that followed President Yoweri Kaguta Museveni’s recent comments about Uganda’s entitlement to use the Indian Ocean. Museveni’s remarks, which he made while emphasizing regional cooperation and trade routes, erupted across social media circles in Uganda and Kenya, with many misinterpreting them as a sign of looming conflict or territorial posturing.

But during his visit to Uganda on Monday for the groundbreaking ceremony of the Devki Mega Steel Factory in Tororo, President Ruto firmly dismissed the speculation, stressing that the relationship between the two countries remains unshaken.

“I know people in the journalist space, and it is good I speak about it here,” Ruto said. “Some have tried to create the impression that Uganda had said something to the effect that they need to access the sea by all means. Let me assure the naysayers that Uganda and Kenya are brothers and sisters, and we do not have time for negative engagement.”

Ruto emphasized that Uganda’s access to the sea through Kenya is guaranteed and grounded in long-standing cooperation. He noted that both countries—along with Rwanda and other East African states—are committed to improving shared infrastructure to boost trade and connectivity.

“Uganda is assured of access to the sea through Kenya, and that is why we are not only extending the pipeline, we are also extending the road and the railway,” he said. “We believe this region needs to move as one.”

He took a sharper tone when addressing online critics. “For those who want to engage us in negative talk, we want to tell them—please give us a break. We do not have time for negative talk. We have time for progress.”

Ruto praised the Devki investment as proof of the region’s joint pursuit of prosperity. “We want to connect this region so that we can share prosperity, because poverty cannot be shared,” he noted.

He concluded by reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to regional partnership: “I want to assure you of the people of Kenya’s continued friendship, commitment, and working together for the progress of our region.”