Editor's Review

Ruto departed Kenya for Europe on Sunday, January 28.

Lawyer Ahmednasir Abdullahi has questioned the significance of President Willia Ruto's trip to Italy on Sunday, January 28.

In a statement, State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the President would participate in the Italy-Africa Summit which will bring together 20 African Heads of State and Government to discuss key areas of collaboration.

“The summit, whose theme is "A Bridge for Common Growth," will bring together 20 African Heads of State and Government to discuss crucial areas of collaboration, including food security, culture, education, vocational training, energy security, economic and infrastructure development, as well as combating human trafficking and terrorism,” read the statement in part.

President William Ruto.

Questioning Italy's standing in the global governance and geopolitical scale, Ahmednasir argued it was unnecessary for the president to visit the country.

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According to the attorney, Italy's systems do not conform with the Kenyan ones and thus the trip by the president tends to be pointless, he suggested.

"Italy has always been a 2nd tier country in Europe and is totally irrelevant in broader global geopolitics. With Giorgia Meloni, a far-right neo-fascist PM in power, I'm totally lost what 20 African leaders will do in Rome... After all, I haven't heard of a new pasta recipe for their sampling!" said the lawyer in jest.

During the trip, Ruto, who is also the chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC) will deliver an address on energy security during the summit.

The Head of State will then hold bilateral discussions with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on cooperation between the two nations.

The two leaders will review agreements reached during President Mattarella's State Visit to Kenya last year and in subsequent meetings with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni.

They will further expedite projects formed through the collaboration between Italy and Kenya including programs in environmental conservation, climate change resilience, water, education, health, energy, and culture.

“President Ruto's agenda also includes bilateral engagements 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,” The State House Spokesperson added.