President William Ruto left the country on Sunday January 28, for an official visit to Rome, Italy, to participate in the Italy-Africa summit.

According to a statement by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the summit, themed “A Bridge for Common Growth,” will bring together 20 African Heads of State.

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The Heads of State are set to discuss various collaborative areas, such as food security, culture, education, vocational training, energy security, economic and infrastructure development, as well as joint efforts against human trafficking and terrorism.

As the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), Ruto will address the summit about energy security.

“In his capacity as the Chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), President Ruto will deliver an address on energy security during the summit,” the statement reads.

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Additionally, he will engage in discussions with Italy’s President Sergio Mattarella to review previous agreements, focusing on those established during President Mattarella’s State Visit to Kenya and subsequent meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

The visit also includes the acceleration of collaborative projects between Italy and Kenya in environmental conservation, climate change resilience, water, education, health, energy, and culture.

Ruto’s agenda extends to bilateral talks 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.

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In addition, European Union leaders and representatives from international organizations will be in attendance at the summit.

During the summit’s sidelines, Ruto has planned meetings with African leaders actively engaged in peace processes in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, and South Sudan, underscoring the broader regional significance of his visit.

Italy is currently hosting ongoing mediation talks for the restoration of peace in South Sudan.