Ruto hosts Lesotho King Letsie III for talks on hunger, nutrition and AU reforms
By Sharon Atieno, July 27, 2026President William Ruto has hosted Lesotho’s King Letsie III at State House, Nairobi, for talks on food security, malnutrition and reforms aimed at making the African Union more responsive to the needs of citizens.
In a statement shared on his X account on Monday, July 27, 2026, Ruto said he hosted the monarch, who is the African Union Champion on Nutrition, for discussions on the continent’s food security challenges.
“Hosted His Majesty King Letsie III of Lesotho, the African Union Champion on Nutrition, at State House Nairobi,” Ruto said.
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Ruto raises alarm over hunger and malnutrition
“We discussed food security in Africa and the urgent need to take measures that help bring an end to hunger and malnutrition in our continent,” he added.
The meeting placed food security and nutrition at the centre of discussions as African countries continue to seek coordinated measures to address hunger and malnutrition.
President briefs Lesotho King on AU reforms
Ruto said he also briefed King Letsie III on reforms being considered within the African Union.
“Also briefed His Majesty on the deliberations on African Union reforms that are aimed at making the AU more efficient and responsive to the needs of citizens of the continent,” he said.
The discussions came as Kenya continued to push for stronger regional cooperation and increased trade within East Africa.
Ruto targets 50 per cent intra-EAC trade
Earlier on Monday, Ruto held talks with East African Community Secretary-General Stephen Patrick Mbundi at State House, Nairobi.
The President said the meeting focused on the progress made by the regional bloc in integration, trade and the free movement of people.
“Held discussions with East African Community Secretary-General Stephen Mbundi at State House, Nairobi. We deliberated on the progress the EAC is making, including increased integration among Partner States, regional trade and free movement of people,” Ruto said.
He said intra-EAC trade currently stands at about 20 per cent but could be increased to 50 per cent through strategic interventions.
“As Africa’s most progressive regional bloc, intra-trade in the EAC is about 20 per cent, yet it can be scaled up to 50 per cent with the necessary strategic interventions,” he said.
Kenya pushes removal of trade barriers
Ruto said Kenya and the EAC Secretariat had also reaffirmed the need to harmonise tariffs and remove barriers to trade.
“We reaffirmed the EAC role as a key enabler of regional development through the harmonisation of tariffs, which will enhance commerce, create jobs, and drive prosperity for all East Africans,” he said.
The talks came as the EAC pushes to remove administrative bottlenecks that continue to slow cross-border trade and increase the cost of doing business.
The regional bloc comprises Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia, representing a combined market of more than 300 million people.