President William Ruto will on Sunday, January 28, embark on an official visit to Rome, Italy, to participate in the Italy-Africa Summit.
According to a statement from State House, President Ruto will deliver an address on energy security during the summit in his capacity as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).
The summit will bring together 20 African Heads of State and Government to discuss crucial areas of collaboration including food security and culture.
In addition, the Summit to be held under the theme “A Bridge for Common Growth,” will address matters education, vocational training, energy security, economic and infrastructure development, as well as combating human trafficking and terrorism.
Ruto is also expected to hold discussions with President Sergio Mattarella of Italy to foster bilateral cooperation.
Key in the meeting’s agenda, according to State House, will be the agreements reached during President Mattarella’s State Visit to Kenya last year and in subsequent meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.
Also Read: Ruto Pledges To Resume Construction Of Arror, Kimwarer Dams
Additionally, projects formed through the collaboration between Italy and Kenya will be expedited including programmes in environmental conservation, climate change resilience, water, education, health, energy and culture.
President Ruto’s agenda also includes bilateral engagements with European Union leaders, World Bank and IMF officials, and African leaders involved in peace processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan and South Sudan.
Ruto vows to revive Arror and Kimwarer
Speaking in Elgeyo Marakwet on January 14, President Ruto announced that he would fly to Italy to lobby for funding towards stalled water projects in the country.
The Arror and Kimwarer dams are expected to feature in his engagements with the Italian government heads coming years after the two multibillion projects stalled.
At the time, Ruto also announced that he would travel with Governor Susan Kihika of Nakuru and Wisley Rotich of Elgeyo Marakwet.
Also Read: Ex-CS Henry Rotich Cleared in Arror and Kimwarer Scandal
“I spoke to the President of Italy where the investors came from and I agreed that I will go with the governors of Elgeyo Marakwet and Nakuru to Italy this month to finish that work,” the President said.
Touted as gamechangers in the North Rift as far as access to water is concerned, Arror and Kimwarer dams encountered challenges after allegations of mega corruption.
The projects failed to take off and left hopes for thousands of residents in the Kerio Valley region shattered and with distress occasioned by unkept promises of compensating locals for their land.