President William Ruto has jetted out to attend a high-level meeting in Bujumbura, Burundi.
In a statement shared by State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, Ruto left the country on Thursday morning October 31, 2024, to attend the 23rd Summit of COMESA Heads of State and Government in Bujumbura.
“This year’s summit celebrates the 30th anniversary of COMESA, a vital trading bloc with a combined market of 640 million people and a GDP of $1 trillion,” Hussein Mohamed’s statement read in part.
“COMESA represents a substantial market for Kenya, which currently holds a 12.4 per cent share of the regional market, second only to Egypt. Between 2019 and 2023, Kenya’s exports to COMESA grew by 8.9 per cent, highlighting the strong potential for regional trade and integration,” it added.
Ruto’s itinerary
According to the State House Spokesperson, Ruto is expected to engage in high-level conversations with other heads of state who will convene in Bujumbura to bolster Kenya’s relations with strategic partners.
Ruto will also hold talks with Egypt’s President Abd el-Fattah el-Sisi, Zambia’s Hakainde Hichilema and Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali.
“The discussions with Egypt will focus on enhancing the Kenya-Egypt partnership, with a joint commitment to increase trade between the two nations. His bilateral meeting with Zambian President Hakainde Hichilema will explore avenues to facilitate trade, including the formation of a Joint Trade Committee to address and resolve non-tariff barriers,” Hussein Mohamed’s statement highlighted.
“Additional topics of discussion with COMESA leaders and the COMESA secretariat will Include: A final extension of sugar safeguard measures to revitalise the sugar sector,” it added.
AUC agenda
According to the communique, President William Ruto will also use the opportunity to popularise Raila Odinga’s candidature for the African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship position.
The statement indicated that the President will mobile support for Kenya’s candidacy for the continental position even as the February 2025 date for elections draws near.
It is not clear if Raila would join Ruto in Bujumbura to face and convince some of the Heads of State to throw their weight behind him.
Press Release:
— Hussein Mohamed, MBS. (@HusseinMohamedg) October 31, 2024
President @WilliamsRuto on a one-day official visit to Bujumbura, Burundi, for the COMESA summit. pic.twitter.com/SL3HZYQhWY
