Kenyan President William Ruto spoke to DW during his two-day visit to Germany where he signed a labor and migration deal. The agreement will allow skilled workers from the east African nation to live and work in Germany, while also facilitating the repatriation of Kenyans who have failed their asylum requests and therefore don't have the right to stay in Germany.

DW: Germany invited you here as the first [leader of an] African country to be a partner at the "Bürgerfest," the citizens festival. And this year's theme is, in fact, in Swahili — "Pamoja" meaning "stronger together." How do you feel about your presence here?

William Ruto: Well, humanity is now facing challenges that go beyond countries or communities, and the nature of the challenges that we face today are global and, therefore ,there is need, continuously, for us to act in concensus, and together. That is why "Pamoja" together gives us the energy, and gives us the potential and the power to deal with global challenges when we stand together.

DW: Following your recent meeting with [China's] President Xi Jinping and ongoing collaborations with other European nations, how do you see Kenya balance in partnerships with China and Europe?

William Ruto: Well, the whole world is framed around interests. We have absolutely no difficulty in pursuing our interest in the West and pursuing our interest in the East. Therefore, when our interests converge, we work together. And we had a wonderful engagement in Beijing together with my other African colleagues. I have had a wonderful engagement here in Germany with my German counterpart. I had an excellent engagement with President Biden when I was in the United States and, as you said earlier, it's a global village. I mean, the challenges that countries face, whether they are in the West or in their East, are common. Therefore, there's need for collaboration between all countries to make sure that we … figure out how to deal with the challenges that we have.

DW: China and Europe —........

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