In a rare and significant meeting, President William Ruto visited former President Uhuru Kenyatta at his family home in Gatundu today.
The two leaders discussed a broad range of issues critical to Kenya’s national and regional development.
During the visit, President Ruto commended his predecessor’s leadership in overseeing a peaceful transfer of power after the 2022 elections.
“President Kenyatta’s statesmanship has been instrumental in ensuring the country’s stability,” said Ruto.
He also praised Kenyatta’s continued goodwill towards national progress and development.
The two leaders acknowledged the global challenges impacting Kenya, including the aftermath of COVID-19, the war in Ukraine, volatile currency markets, and a harsh macroeconomic environment.
They noted progress in mitigating these effects, including reducing inflation to its lowest level in a decade, stabilizing the Kenyan shilling, and lowering interest rates.
President Ruto lauded Kenyatta’s contributions to laying a strong foundation for Kenya’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda.
The agenda focuses on key priorities such as food security, universal health coverage, affordable housing, MSME empowerment, and education reforms.
Both leaders emphasized the urgency of accelerating these programs to boost household incomes and expand opportunities for Kenyans.
The discussion also highlighted the need for national unity.
“We must foster a harmonious working relationship among all Kenyans and stakeholders, including government arms, religious leaders, and civil society,” said Kenyatta.
The two leaders called for inclusive political consensus to advance Kenya’s development agenda.
On regional matters, the leaders reaffirmed Kenya’s commitment to peace and security in East Africa.
President Ruto praised Kenyatta’s tireless efforts in regional peace-building, describing him as a patriot dedicated to resolving conflicts and promoting stability.
Additionally, they urged the resolution of court matters regarding the IEBC selection panel to expedite the appointment of commissioners.
The leaders also voiced their support for Rt. Hon. Raila Odinga’s candidacy for Chair of the African Union Commission, calling on Kenyans and international partners to back his bid.
The meeting concluded with a pledge for regular engagements among leaders on national matters. They extended warm wishes to Kenyans, encouraging unity and celebration during the festive season.
This encounter between two pivotal figures in Kenya’s political landscape underscores a shared commitment to the nation’s prosperity and regional stability.
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