Eldoret-based human rights activist Kipkorir Ngetich has praised President William Ruto’s address to the 81st United Nations General Assembly, describing it as a strong call for fundamental reforms in global governance and greater African representation in international decision-making.

Ngetich, speaking on behalf of the Center for Human Rights and Democracy, said the organisation welcomed President Ruto’s renewed push for reforms at the United Nations Security Council, arguing that the current structure should reflect the realities and challenges of the modern world.

President Ruto, while addressing the UN General Assembly in New York, called for equitable and permanent African representation on the Security Council, arguing that Africa remains underrepresented despite its significant role in the United Nations and global peace and security.

Ngetich said the President’s intervention came at a time when the world is facing increasingly complex challenges, including armed conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, climate-related disasters, pandemics, rapid technological advancement, industrialisation and the risks associated with nuclear energy.

He said these challenges require a global institution capable of responding to crises quickly, collectively and fairly, adding that reforms should strengthen the ability of the United Nations to protect human life and promote international peace.

According to Ngetich, the Security Council should be more inclusive and representative of the contemporary international system rather than continuing to operate largely under structures established in the aftermath of the Second World War.

He said the question of Africa's representation has become increasingly important because African countries are frequently affected by decisions on international peace, security and humanitarian intervention, yet the continent does not have permanent representation on the Council.

The UN's ongoing intergovernmental negotiations on Security Council reform have recognised the need for equitable representation, with UN documents recording broad support for stronger African representation in a reformed Council.

Ngetich said President Ruto’s position was therefore significant because it placed the question of Africa’s voice at the centre of global discussions.

He argued that Africa has the capacity to contribute significantly to international efforts aimed at addressing conflicts, hunger, humanitarian emergencies, climate challenges and other crises through its experts, financial resources, human capital, materials and security personnel.

The activist further called for reforms that would ensure African countries participate meaningfully in decisions affecting global security and development, rather than remaining recipients of decisions made elsewhere.

He also linked the Security Council reform debate to broader questions concerning the global financial system, international trade and access to shared global resources.

Ngetich said developing countries, particularly in Africa, require a fairer international system that allows them to participate equally in economic and social development.

He said the continued exclusion of Africa from permanent membership of the Security Council raises questions about the representativeness and legitimacy of the current global governance system.

President Ruto has similarly argued that the existing international order does not adequately reflect today's geopolitical realities and has called for reforms that give Africa a permanent voice in the Council.

Ngetich said Africa should seize the current reform discussions to push for a stronger and united position on global governance.

He also warned that continued inequality in international decision-making could undermine confidence in multilateral institutions, particularly at a time when conflicts and humanitarian emergencies require coordinated international responses.

The activist said the world needs institutions based on equality, justice and shared responsibility, rather than systems in which a small number of powerful countries have disproportionate influence over decisions affecting the wider international community.

He described President Ruto as an increasingly prominent continental voice on the question of African representation and urged him to maintain his focus on the reform agenda whenever similar opportunities arise on the international stage.

Ngetich further invoked the legacy of Africa’s independence leaders, saying the continent's founding leaders challenged systems they considered unequal and advocated for greater dignity, sovereignty and unity among African peoples.

He said the same spirit should continue through contemporary African leadership and diplomacy, particularly on issues affecting the continent's place in global institutions.

The activist urged African countries to support discussions aimed at restructuring the Security Council while ensuring that any reforms address the continent's demand for meaningful and permanent representation.

He said the debate should not only focus on membership but also on how the Security Council responds to conflicts, humanitarian emergencies, environmental disasters and other crises affecting millions of people around the world.

Ngetich concluded that President Ruto’s UN intervention had placed important questions about equality, representation and global justice before the international community, describing the speech as an important contribution to the long-running debate on reforming the United Nations.

He urged Kenyans and other Africans to closely follow the reform discussions, saying decisions made at the international level have direct consequences for peace, security, health and economic development across the continent.