By Bonface Mulyungi
President William Ruto is expected to leave the country on Sunday (today) for a three-day State visit to Italy at the invitation of his host, Sergio Mattarella.
Ruto will also meet Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni for bilateral talks aimed at boosting both diplomatic and trade relations between Rome and Nairobi.
Prime Cabinet Secretary and Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi, who is already in Italy ahead of the visit, says preparations are firmly in place ahead of Ruto’s upcoming trip, following a detailed executive briefing on the priorities and expected outcomes of the visit.
Mudavadi said the engagements will focus on strengthening Kenya–Italy cooperation, aligning development priorities, and unlocking new opportunities in trade, investment and strategic partnerships.“Key outcomes include the mobilisation of financing for priority projects, the signing of new Memoranda of Understanding, and the acceleration of existing bilateral agreements, all aimed at delivering tangible benefits for Kenyans,” the PCS said.
The visit will also promote Kenyan exports and position the country as an attractive destination for Italian investment across key sectors.
During a preparation meeting, Mudavadi was joined by Amb. Fredrick Matwanga, Joseph Busiega, Chief of Staff in the Office of the Prime Cabinet Secretary, Josephat Nanok, Deputy Chief of Staff in the Executive Office of the President, and other senior government officials.
During a four-day trip to Kisii and Nyamira Counties last week, President Ruto announced that part of his mission to Italy will be negotiating a Sh1 billion funding for the upgrade of Nyamira County Hospital.
While in Italy, Ruto is expected to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Piezza Venezia tomorrow before meeting his host, Mattarella at Quirinale Palace for a luncheon and later Prime Minister Meloni at Palazzo Chigi.
The head of state will also address the high-level session of the Kenya-Italy Business Forum and end his second day with an address to Kenyans in the Diaspora.On the third day, Ruto will meet industry CEOs who include Claudio Descalzi of ENI and Alvaro Lario, who is the President of IFAD, before heading to the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament, where he will meet with the Speaker of Parliament, Lorenzo Fontana.
He will also grace the “Growing Together Through Partnership” by Harmonica Innovation Group event at Palazzo Generali and later crown his visit by giving an address at LUISS University.
