Africa-Press – Kenya. President William Ruto has departed for Rome on an official visit aimed at unlocking key infrastructure and investment deals between Kenya and Italy.
During the visit, President Ruto is scheduled to hold bilateral talks with President Sergio Mattarella and Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni to deepen Kenya-Italy relations.
The visit will also see the two countries strengthen cooperation across multiple sectors. Several memoranda of understanding and cross-sector agreements are expected to be signed.
In a statement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said a key focus of the trip is the acceleration of the Arror, Kimwarer and Itare dam projects, which the government has identified as critical to its irrigation agenda.
The projects are part of three national priority pillars irrigation, expanded infrastructure and accelerated energy generation aimed at driving Kenya’s economic transformation.
The government plans to expand irrigation to 2.5 million acres within seven years, a move expected to boost food security and position Kenya as a net agricultural exporter.
While in Rome, the President will also attend the Kenya-Italy Business Forum, where he is expected to showcase investment opportunities in infrastructure, irrigation and energy.
He will further engage business leaders and multilateral institutions, including the International Fund for Agricultural Development and the Food and Agriculture Organization.
“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),” Hussein said.
The visit is also expected to advance cooperation under Italy’s Mattei Plan, which focuses on strengthening partnerships in agriculture, agro-industry, value chain development, health, clean energy and human capital development.
Hussein said the trip underscores Kenya’s push to deepen international partnerships that support its development agenda.
During a four-day trip to Kisii and Nyamira Counties last week, President Ruto announced that part of his mission to Italy will be negotiating a Sh1 billion funding for the upgrade of Nyamira County Hospital.
While in Italy, Ruto is expected to lay a wreath at the tomb of the unknown soldier at Piezza Venezia tomorrow before meeting his host, Mattarella at Quirinale Palace for a luncheon and later Prime Minister Meloni at Palazzo Chigi.
The head of state will also address the high-level session of the Kenya-Italy Business Forum and end his second day with an address to Kenyans in the Diaspora.
On the third day, Ruto will meet industry CEOs who include Claudio Descalzi of ENI and Alvaro Lario, who is the President of IFAD, before heading to the Chamber of Deputies of the Italian Parliament, where he will meet with the Speaker of Parliament, Lorenzo Fontana.
He will also grace the “Growing Together Through Partnership” by Harmonica Innovation Group event at Palazzo Generali and later crown his visit by giving an address at LUISS University.
