CNN journalist Larry Madowo clashed with Emanuel Talam, the Presidential Communication Service (PCS) press secretary after he questioned why President William Ruto attended a summit in Italy.
In a post on his X account, Madowo referenced President Ruto’s past remarks vowing to never attend a meeting where African heads of state are pooled and addressed by a leader of a single country.
He quoted a video of a panel discussion in April 2023 where the President swore not to attend such meetings and even advocated for development of local solutions for African challenges.
“President William Ruto said he and other African leaders would not be summoned by 1 country. The African Union would represent them going forward,” Madow posted.
“He’s standing just steps away from both the AU chair & the AU Commission chair in Italy while other East African presidents skipped.”
His post then went viral with a big number of Kenyans on the platform Kenyans joining him in questioning the commitment of the President to his words.
But the post irked State House Press Secretary and longtime aide of President Ruto Talam who challenged to uphold his journalism principles.
In a comment under the post that had gone viral, Talam urged Madowo to read Ruto’s speech, suggesting that doing so was “basic journalism”.
“Create time to read the President’s speech. Basic journalism,” Talam commented.
Larry Madowo claps back
However, Madowo dismissed Talam’s advice, noting that he did not have the range of passing any advice to him.
“You don’t have the range to lecture me about journalism,” Madowo quoted Talam’s comment to spark yet another discussion.
On his part, former close aide of opposition leader Raila Odinga, Silas Jakakimba reminded Madowo that President Ruto was attending the Summit not just as Kenya’s leader but also as the Chair of the Committee of Africa Heads of States and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).
He went on to remind the renowned journalist and former NTV anchor that former President Uhuru Kenyatta also attended such meetings in his tenure.
“The Kenyan Presidency chairs that seat currently, at AU. For the record, it is a tenured leadership of the Committee and soon Kenya will pass on that button,” Jakakimba commented.
“This is a fully sponsored fellowship on AU Workings and no fees would be invoiced by Yours Truly the Fisherfolk.”
Also Read: Ruto Jets Out for Key International Assignment
President Ruto’s visit to Rome has been a concern for some Kenyans who have questioned why Kenya could not have a representative attend the Summit instead.
Some Kenyans pointed out that notable Presidents including President Yoweri Museveni of Uganda and Nigeria’s Bola Tinubu did not attend the Summit.
What’s more, the Africa Union Commission, which Ruto had proposed to be representative of African interests in such summits, was represented by Chairperson Moussa Faki.
Trend of Western nations hosting African leaders
In an earlier statement, Larry Madowo had questioned the rising trend of powerful countries inviting African leaders including Russia-Africa, US-Africa, China-Africa, France-Africa, Saudi-Africa, Turkey-Africa, and India-Africa.
Also Read: Ruto Defends Attending Italy Summit After Complaining of Mistreatment
Out of those summits, President Ruto missed the Russia-Africa Summit but has attended several others including the China-Africa Summit and the India Summit.
“How much time & money do they spend going to these conferences outside the continent?” Madowo posed.
In a statement on Sunday, January 28, State House announced that Ruto was attending the Rome Summit in his capacity as the Chairperson of the Committee of Africa Heads of States and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC).
Besides the Summit, State House also revealed that Ruto was scheduled to hold meetings with leaders including President Sergio Mattarella on various topics including water and energy.
In his speech while addressing the Summit, Ruto defended his attendance noting that Italy’s Summit had proven to be different from the rest.
“I have previously noted that an invitation extended by one country to all 54 African nations did not necessarily serve Africa’s best interests,” he noted.
“But those of us present at this conference, representing our colleagues, find it different and inspiring due to the pragmatic approach you, have taken, Madam Prime Minister.”
