Details of Ruto's phone call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

President William and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

President William Ruto has urged Germany to play a role in ending conflicts in Somalia, Sudan and eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.

This was during a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz on Thursday, November 6.

The call was the first official discussion between the two leaders since Merz assumed office in May 6, 2025.

Ruto said the two leaders noted strong and enduring relations and agreed to strengthen them further.

He added Germany had committed Sh6.6 billion (EUR45 million) to expand Kenya's energy generation at a time when daily power cuts disrupt supply.

The appeal for Germany's support comes amid deepening crises in the targeted countries:

In Sudan, the war between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces has killed tens of thousands, displaced more than 12 million people and left the health system and food supply in tatters.

In eastern DRC, clashes between government forces and the M23 rebel group have triggered hundreds of thousands of new displacements, destroyed health and protection infrastructure and fuelled a humanitarian surge.

This comes days after Ruto said the government has been forced into daily loadshedding between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m. to maintain grid stability. Speaking to Kenyans in Doha, Qatar, he said the country needed over Sh1 trillion to boost capacity to at least 5,000 megawatts.

"Today in Kenya, between 5 p.m. and 10 p.m., we have to shut off some areas to power others because our energy is insufficient. One data centre requires 1,000 megawatts, but we only have 2,300 megawatts," said Ruto.

He outlined plans to ramp up production to meet domestic and industrial needs, now at 3,158 megawatts during peak hours.

"If we have to industrialise and engage in manufacturing, we need a minimum of 10,000 megawatts.We need to build at least 50 mega dams: High Grand Falls Dam, Soin Koru Dam," said Ruto. He also hinted at possible ways to raise the Sh1 trillion needed to fund the projects.

The leaders discussed the KenyaGermany bilateral labour agreement, which provides more Kenyans with opportunities to work in Germany, and growing trade and investment ties between Africa and Europe.

They agreed the upcoming EUAfrica Summit, scheduled for November 2425 in Luanda, Angola, would be a platform to deepen cooperation.

The summit will mark the 25th anniversary of the European UnionAfrican Union partnership and focus on peace and security, economic integration, trade, green development, digitalisation, migration and human development.

"I thanked the German government for supporting the expansion of our energy generation efforts with a EUR45 million facility," said Ruto, "and we agreed to continue strengthening our relations."