President William Ruto on Tuesday, April 4, jetted out of the country for a two-day State visit to Rwanda upon the invitation of President Paul Kagame.
In a statement from the State House spokesperson, Hussein Mohamed, the two Heads of State are expected to deliberate on areas of mutual interest and cooperation including the Northern Corridor Integration projects, innovation, food security, health, and education among others.
Another key issue to be discussed during the bilateral talks includes ways of enhancing trade and commerce within the two countries as part of the East Africa Community (EAC) and the entire continent at large.
"The visit is further expected to enhance trade and commerce cooperation within the East Africa Community (EAC) and the African continent, as the two leaders re-affirm their commitment to EAC integration and the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (ACFTA) cooperation for trade and economic growth," the statement read in part.
Regional peace and security will also feature in the discussions as the meeting will culminate in the signing of bilateral agreements.
Earlier, President Ruto had convened at the third Social Protection Conference week at the Kenya School of Government, Nairobi where he affirmed his commitment to enhancing social and economic rights for all Kenyans.
While alluding to this, the Head of State affirmed that from June 2023, the social protection cash transfer for the vulnerable would be disbursed before the salaries of public servants were paid.
He added that the government was also re-designing the delivery of health services, with the restructuring of the National Health Insurance Fund (NHIF).
"On Universal Health Coverage it will be possible to pay Ksh300 and still keep your NHIF cover. We are also re-designing the delivery of health services, and will roll out a program to pay a stipend to the 100,000 community health workers or volunteers in the country," the statement read in part.
In addition, the president promised that his administration would match the funds contributed to the school feeding program from the county governments.
Since assuming office on September 13, 2022, Ruto has made 18 official foreign trips, signalling the essence of the Kenya Kwanza administration in building regional and international relationships.
Among the countries he has toured include England, Germany, Tanzania, Uganda, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), and South Korea.
