Ruto Flies Out To Uganda For 2 Crucial Meetings

This is President Ruto's first foreign visit of 2024, his last coming in 2023 when he visited India on December 6.

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Jan 18, 2024 - 13:21
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Ruto Flies Out To Uganda For 2 Crucial Meetings
President William Ruto lands in Tanzania for a two-day official visit on October 9, 2022. /PCS

President William Ruto is set to leave the country today, Thursday, January 18 for Kampala, Uganda where he is expected to attend two crucial meetings.

According to a statement from State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed, the Head of State will attend an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) meeting on regional cooperation and development.

This is in line with Kenya's commitment to stability and progress in the Eastern African region.

President William Ruto with Ugandan president, Yoweri Museveni. /FILE

"On Friday, President Ruto will attend the 19th Summit of the Non-Aligned Movement. The summit will address crucial global issues, including multilateralism, international peace and post-COVID-19 recovery strategies," the statement read in part.

At the summit, whose theme is 'Deepening Cooperation for Shared Global Affluence', President Ruto will contribute to discussions on key priorities

They include reform of the United Nations, peace and security, Sustainable Development Goals, climate change and the reform of the international financial system.

The President will also hold bilateral meetings with various Heads of State and leaders aimed at strengthening diplomatic ties and underscoring Kenya's role in regional and global affairs.

This is President Ruto's first foreign visit of 2024, his last coming in 2023 when he visited India on December 6.

Notably, the Head of State announced on Sunday, January 14 that he would fly out to Italy later this month to seek funding for water projects that have stalled across the country.

President Ruto noted that he would be seeking investors to revive stalled projects such as the Arror and Kimwarer dams in Elgeyo Marakwet and the Itare Dam in Nakuru County. 

He further announced that Governors Wisley Rotich and Susan Kihika would accompany him during the trip to Italy.

“As leaders here have said, on how the county will move forward. We have spoken about roads and water projects which have stalled in this area,” he explained why he was moving to seek out investors during a church service.

“I spoke to the President of Italy where the investors came from and I agreed that I will go with the governors of Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru to Italy this month to finish that work."

The Head of State further explained that the delegation was informed of the physical location of the stalled dams. 

On March 14, 2023, President Ruto announced that the talks surrounding the construction of the Kimwarer, Arror and Itare dams in the North Rift Valley part of Kenya were revived following a meeting with Italy President Sergio Mattarella at State House, Nairobi.

The president also noted that the government would work with the government of Italy to resolve burning issues that had affected the progress of the projects.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella (right) and President William Ruto during the Italian President's State Visit on March 14, 2023. /WILLIAM RUTO

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