DETAILS: Ruto Visits Uhuru In Gatundu [PHOTOS]

President William Ruto on Monday, December 9 paid a surprise visit to the home of former President Uhuru Kenyatta.

This impromptu visit to Gatundu was the second time the two leaders met in less than a month after their initial meeting in Embu. It was there that Ruto had reported to his former boss regarding the issues his government has managed to implement from Uhuru's administration.

"President William Ruto pays a courtesy call to former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his Gatundu home. The two leaders discussed issues of National interest," announced Uhuru through his official X account.

State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed further elaborated on the agenda of the surprise meeting as follows:

President William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta on December 9, 2024. /UHURU KENYATTA

Details

During the visit, the two national leaders discussed several issues of national and regional importance. President Ruto took the opportunity to reiterate his appreciation and commendation of Kenyatta’s statesmanship in overseeing the peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 elections, as well as the goodwill the former President has continued to demonstrate towards his fellow leaders and his support for Kenya’s ongoing progress and development. 

"Both leaders acknowledged the challenging global environment affecting many countries, including Kenya, caused by a complex interplay of factors: the disruptive effects of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine - which destabilised supply chains and led to high commodity prices, particularly for fertiliser and wheat - volatile currency markets, and a harsh macroeconomic climate," Mohamed revealed in part.

"They noted progress in addressing these adverse impacts, especially in reducing inflation to its lowest level in the past decade, significantly lowering food prices, stabilising the Kenyan shilling, and reducing interest rates."

President Ruto thanked President Kenyatta for laying a strong foundation that has enabled the government to implement key programs under the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda, and they include transforming agriculture to ensure food security, achieving universal health coverage, providing affordable housing, empowering MSMEs, developing transport and communication infrastructure, last-mile electrification, and re-evaluating and reforming the Competency-Based Curriculum and the education sector in general, among other initiatives.

Both leaders agreed on the urgent need to accelerate these and other programmes to boost household incomes and create more opportunities for Kenyans. "They also underscored the importance of cultivating a nationalistic, patriotic, and harmonious working relationship among all Kenyans and stakeholders, including the three arms of government, religious leaders, civil society, and other partners, to ensure collective national stability and progress," Mohamed added.

"Additionally, the leaders appreciated the need to achieve broader and more inclusive political consensus in the governance of our country to accelerate the attainment of inclusive growth and fulfil the national development agenda."

Ruto and Uhuru also acknowledged Kenya’s leading role in promoting peace and security in the East African region through diplomatic and peace-support initiatives, which are crucial to resolving conflicts, restoring peace, and fostering regional stability.

President Ruto commended President Kenyatta for his patriotism and tireless contributions to peace-making efforts in the region. The duo further called for the prompt resolution of the court matters regarding the constitution of the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) selection panel, to facilitate the appointment of commissioners.

"The two leaders called on Kenyans, friends of Kenya, and international partners to support the candidacy of Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga for the position of Chair of the African Union Commission. They also committed to maintaining regular engagements on matters of national importance alongside other leaders and stakeholders," Mohamed continued.

Finally, President Ruto and President Kenyatta extended their warm wishes to all Kenyans, wishing them happy holidays as they enter the festive season.

President William Ruto and Uhuru Kenyatta on December 9, 2024. /UHURU KENYATTA