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President William Ruto on Friday, August 30, 2024, held a meeting with British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan in Kisumu during his development tour of the Nyanza region.

Ruto, in a statement shared through his official social media handles, revealed that the meeting had been held at the Kisumu State Lodge.

Ruto on Kenya-UK relations

The Head of State lauded the Kenya-UK relations, which he said are centred on economic, cultural, and people-to-people.

According to President Ruto, the Kenya-UK relationship has had a tremendous impact on many spheres of Kenyan citizens.

“Kenya and Britain enjoy deep, robust, and historical diplomatic ties centred on economic, cultural, and people-to-people ties. This relationship has had a tremendous impact on many spheres of our citizens and nations. Met British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan at State Lodge Kisumu,” President Ruto stated in a statement shared via his official X account.

Kenya and Britain enjoy deep, robust and historical diplomatic ties centred on economic, cultural and people-to-people ties. This relationship has had a tremendous impact on many spheres of our citizens and nations.

Met British High Commissioner to Kenya Neil Wigan at State… pic.twitter.com/3KFOMB95JP

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 30, 2024

Ruto’s Nyanza tour

President Ruto has been in the Nyanza region since Wednesday, August 28, 2024, when he kicked off his development tour of the region.

The Head of State is today Friday, August 30, 2024, touring Siaya County, where he has commissioned the Mageta Island Solar PV Mini Grid.

He has also launched the Siaya ESP Market and is currently launching the Siaya Rice Mill.

President Ruto is later expected to attend a thanksgiving service for newly appointed Cabinet Secretary of Energy and Petroleum, Opiyo Wandayi.

The President will close his Nyanza tour on Saturday by commissioning the Nyabondo Trauma Centre in Kisumu.

Ruto-Raila dalliance

President Ruto’s tour of the Nyanza region comes at a time when he is enjoying a newfound friendship with opposition leader Raila Odinga, who is considered the political kingpin for the Nyanza region.

His warm reception in Raila’s political turf follows the official launch of the former Prime Minister’s bid for African Union Commission (AUC) chairmanship.

Ruto has pledged to mobilise all the available resources to ensure that the Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) party leader clinches the AUC top seat.

His new working relationship with the opposition has been termed a way of bringing all Kenyans together through a broad-based government.