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Ruto set for Japan trip to bolster diplomatic, trade ties

President William Ruto. (Photo: PCS)

By Bashir Mohammed | Monday, February 5, 2024

President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel will leave Kenya on Tuesday for a two-day official trip to Japan aimed at strengthening diplomatic and trade relations between Nairobi and Tokyo.

The tour will fortify ties initiated during Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida's visit to Nairobi last year.

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The itinerary includes visits to Emperor Naruhito’s residence and a summit meeting with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

“During their stay in Japan, the President and Mrs Ruto will make a State Call on their majesties the Emperor and Empress of Japan, and their majesties will host a court luncheon in honour of the President and Mrs Ruto," Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

The PM and his wife will host a dinner for Ruto and Rachel.

President Ruto is expected to advance development initiatives between Kenya and Japan in Tokyo and Aichi. Japan has been a crucial partner in supporting key projects in Kenya, particularly in the health, agriculture, and education sectors.

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi, who also serves as the Foreign and Diaspora Affairs minister, highlighted Japan's contributions, stating, "Such projects include the upgrading of the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) laboratory, construction of the Mombasa Southern Bypass, and implementation of an intelligent transport system in Mombasa County."

This is President Ruto's first official trip to Japan as head of State. His last one was in 2013 when he attended the Fifth Tokyo International Conference on African Development (TICAD V) as the deputy president.