Kenyan President William Samoei Ruto arrived in Rwanda Tuesday for a two-day state visit. He's expected to be hosted by his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame and also meet Kenyans living in Rwanda. According to a statement released by the Kenyan High Commission in Kigali, President Ruto’s meeting with the Kenyan Diaspora in Rwanda “will provide an opportunity for the Kenyan community to engage the President on Diaspora and Government Policy issues.” Ruto was sworn in as president in September last year following a fiercely contested election the month before in which he defeated his main challenger Raila Odinga. Previously a deputy president for 10 years, Ruto has been vocal in support of regional integration. He has previously hailed ties between Rwanda and Kenya and he and President Kagame have held bilateral talks at least twice since September. ALSO READ: Ruto, EAC ministers pledge to end trade barriers The two leaders are set to hold talks before addressing the media, while Ruto is also due to visit the Kigali Genocide Memorial to pay tribute to victims of the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Later Tuesday, Ruto is expected to be hosted to a state banquet by President Kagame. Kagame and Ruto last met in November 2022 on the sidelines of the UN climate conference (COP27) in Egypt, during which the two leaders discussed continued positive and fruitful bilateral relationship between Kenya and Rwanda.
