President William Ruto has held a meeting with Kenyans living in Italy at the height of his three-day state visit to Italy, emphasising the importance of such engagements.

Taking to his official X account on Monday, April 20, 2026, evening, Ruto explained how consistent engagement with Kenyans in diaspora continues to sharpen Kenya’s policies and keep Kenyans informed about the progress we are making to transform our country.

On his part, through such engagements, the government has implemented targeted reforms to address challenges facing Kenyans living in diaspora.

Further adding that such engagements have led to the streamlining of recruitment agencies by taking firm action against rogue operators as well as establishing a dedicated department for diaspora affairs to serve Kenyans abroad.

“Through these engagements, we have implemented targeted reforms to address challenges facing our diaspora. We have streamlined recruitment agencies, taken firm action against rogue operators, and established a dedicated department for diaspora affairs to better serve Kenyans abroad,” Ruto stated.

“Back home, we have made great strides in education, job creation, healthcare, sports, infrastructure, agriculture, digital innovation, and financial inclusion, bringing us closer to achieving first-world economy status.Pleased to engage with Kenyans living in Italy, in Rome,” he explained.

Ruto’s visit to Italy

President William Ruto departed for Rome, Italy, on Sunday, April 19, 2026, for an official State Visit aimed at strengthening Kenya-Italy relations and securing investment in infrastructure, irrigation, energy and agriculture.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed posted on his X post dated April 19, 2026, saying that the visit includes scheduled bilateral talks with Italian President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, with several Memoranda of Understanding and sectoral agreements expected to be signed.

A key focus of the discussions is the acceleration of the Arror, Kimwarer and Itare dam projects, which form part of Kenya’s irrigation programme under the government’s national priorities of irrigation, infrastructure expansion and energy generation.

The projects aim to expand irrigated land to 2.5 million acres within seven years, strengthen food security, and support agricultural exports.

The president is expected to participate in the Kenya-Italy Business Forum, where investment opportunities in infrastructure, energy and irrigation will be presented to Italian private sector players and multilateral institutions. These include the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).