Kenya has in recent months become a diplomatic hotspot, drawing high-level guests from across the world.  

President William Ruto has also been a state guest in various countries, including global superpowers, such as the US and China. 

He has frequently addressed the role and relevance of global institutions such as the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank, and the need for inclusivity within the United Nations Security Council.

From China to the United States, the Netherlands, and most recently, the engagement from US Senator Marco Rubio, despite public backlash, Nairobi continues to draw significant international attention. 

Under Ruto’s administration, Kenya has signed several Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with partners from different parts of the world, signaling growing interest in the country’s geopolitical and economic position.

While these engagements have largely been bilateral, Finnish President Alexander Stubb held a different perspective. 

Speaking on Citizen TV on Tuesday evening, President Stubb suggested that Kenya is poised to play a pivotal role in shaping the new world order.  

According to him, as a new world order begins to take form, forming relationships with countries that will influence its structure is not only strategic but necessary, and Kenya is one of them.

“We are right into the period of disorder…and it will take somewhere between five to ten years. I look at Kenya and it’s going to be among the countries that are going to decide the new world order, and I want to have a good relationship with a country like that,” the Finnish Head of State said. 

So, what exactly is the new world order?
While there’s no universally agreed-upon definition, the term mostly refers to the systems, rules, and institutions that govern relationships among global powers, basically defining who shapes the international agenda and how global affairs are managed.

With global dynamics shifting, President Stubb called on Kenyans, more so the youth, to take an active role in influencing this transition. 

He compared the current uncertain geopolitical environment to the Cold War era, which had clearly defined blocs led by the Soviet Union and the United States. 

In Stubb’s view, countries like Kenya, if strategically aligned, could significantly shape what comes next.

How can a country shape the world order?
Historically, countries have shaped the global order through their participation in international governance structures, investment in innovation, and sustainable development. 

Contributing to global institutions like the UN, IMF, and World Bank is also key, as these bodies remain central to global stability.

Countries that also successfully adopt and innovate with new technologies stand a better chance of influencing the emerging global framework. 

Another key factor is environmental stewardship. Countries that take measures to combat climate change, through emission reductions and sustainable resource use, also improve their credibility and leadership on the global stage. Addressing social inequalities, reducing poverty, and upholding human rights also play a key role in building a fair and stable world order.

Whether the new world order will come into existence, and if Kenya will shape it, only time will tell.