Former President Uhuru Kenyatta held separate high-level engagements at his Gatundu residence on April 17, 2026, focusing on ongoing peace efforts in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

The Office of the 4th President confirmed the engagements through an X post dated April 18, 2026, noting the discussions held at the Gatundu residence.

He hosted a delegation from the European Institute of Peace (EIP) led by Senior Advisor Hilde F. Johnson and separately received Freddy Nkurikiye, Peace and Security Advisor to Togolese President Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé.

“Former President H.E. Uhuru Kenyatta yesterday held separate engagements at his Gatundu residence, hosting a delegation from the European Institute of Peace (EIP) led by Senior Advisor Hilde F. Johnson.”

The discussions centered on the conflict in eastern DRC, where armed group activity has contributed to insecurity, displacement, and humanitarian challenges. The meetings formed part of continued consultations linked to regional mediation frameworks addressing the crisis.

“He also met with Freddy Nkurikiye, a Peace and Security Advisor to Faure Essozimna Gnassingbé, who paid him a courtesy call. Both meetings focused on ongoing peace efforts in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).”

Regional mediation framework and AU role

Uhuru Kenyatta, serving as AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and facilitator of the East African Community (EAC)-led Nairobi Peace Process, continues to participate in coordinated African Union (AU) peace initiatives.

The process has been integrated into a broader AU, EAC, and Southern African Development Community (SADC) mediation structure involving a panel of facilitators.

Earlier in February 2026, the AU–EAC–SADC Panel of Facilitators met in Entebbe under the chairmanship of Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni.

The panel included Togolese President Faure Gnassingbé, former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo, former Ethiopian President Sahle-Work Zewde, former Botswana President Mokgweetsi Masisi, and former Central African Republic President Catherine Samba-Panza.

In January 2026, Kenyatta also participated in a high-level meeting in Lomé, Togo, chaired by Gnassingbé.

The meeting brought together regional and international stakeholders, including representatives from DRC, Rwanda, Angola, Burundi, Uganda, the United States, Qatar, France, and Togo, where a mediation framework and facilitator work plan were adopted.

DRC peace process and international coordination

The engagements in Gatundu follow the December 2025 signing of the Washington Accords for Peace and Prosperity between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda at the United States Institute of Peace.

The agreement aimed to support de-escalation and economic cooperation in the Great Lakes region, although implementation challenges remain amid continued clashes involving armed groups.

The eastern DRC region continues to experience prolonged instability driven by armed militias, including M23-linked elements, contributing to displacement and humanitarian pressures. Regional mediation efforts focus on structured dialogue, ceasefire support, and coordinated diplomatic engagement.

The separate engagements are part of ongoing consultations feeding into the AU–EAC–SADC framework, which seeks to align regional and international peace initiatives.