RUNDOWN
• President William Ruto jets out of the country to attend the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit.
• The three-day summit is an opportunity for African leaders to boost the continent’s partnership with the US.
• The President is also expected to give a keynote speech on “The Future of Africa’s Trade and Investment Relations with the US”
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua will be in charge of the nation as President William Ruto jets out of the country to attend the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit.
According to a statement released by State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed, the three-day summit runs between December 13 and 15, giving an opportunity for African leaders to boost the continent’s partnership with the US in a number of sectors including trade, the economy, security and political relations.
The main priority of the summit is to come up with measures that will help world recover from the effects of COVID 19 as well as address the climate crisis that has led Africa to drought.
The US is one of the largest export destinations for Kenyan products under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), and a leading partner for Kenya’s development agenda as well as regional peace, security and multi-lateral cooperation.
In strengthening Kenya’s bilateral and economic ties with the US, President Ruto will advocate the conclusion of the Kenya Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership Agreement and support African countries’ push to expand US-Africa trade relations through the renewal of AGOA.
The President is also expected to give a keynote speech on “The Future of Africa’s Trade and Investment Relations with the US”, and address the summit on partnering in Agenda 2063, specifically on A Peaceful and Secure Africa.
Ruto will also hold talks with Americas President Joe Biden regarding support and recovery measures towards Africa in the phase of global health pandemics and climate change crisis.
He is also set to engage the private sector and pitch for increased partnerships in trade and investments, increased supply of Kenyan products to the US market and the creation of job opportunities for Kenyans.
By Irene Mutu
