President William Ruto Sunday departed for Rome on an Official Visit to Italy.
During the visit, Ruto will hold bilateral talks with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, to deepen Kenya-Italy relations and strengthen the strategic partnership across key sectors, with several MoUs and cross-sector agreements to be signed.
A statement from State House said a central focus of the visit is accelerating the Arror, Kimwarer, and Itare dam projects, which are key investments under the irrigation pillar of the government’s three national priorities that will drive Kenya’s transition from a third-world to a first-world economy.
The other pillars are expanded infrastructure and accelerated energy generation.
These projects form part of a broader plan to expand irrigation to 2.5 million acres within seven years, boost food security, and position Kenya as a net agricultural exporter.
In line with these priorities, the President will, at the Kenya-italy Business Forum, showcase investment opportunities, including infrastructure, irrigation, and energy.
He will also engage several business leaders and multilateral institutions, including International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) and Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The visit will further advance cooperation under Italy’s Mattei Plan, focusing on agriculture and agro-industry, value chain development, health, clean energy, and human capital development.
Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi was in Italy ahead of the visit.
He 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 visit will also promote Kenyan exports and position the country as an attractive destination for Italian investment across key sectors,” Mudavadi said.
