President William Ruto has flown out to Tanzania to attend the 23rd Summit of the East Africa Community (EAC) Heads of State meeting to be held in Arusha on Thursday evening.
Speaking during the Joyful Women 14th anniversary celebrations held at Kasarani, Nairobi, the president explained that the meeting would focus on integration, as the countries seek to forge ties in their relations.
The meeting will also focus on the region's climate, environment and food security situation ahead of the COP28 to be held in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from November 30, 2023, to December 12, 2023.
"This morning we have come from a meeting of the stock exchange of the whole continent here in Nairobi, they are having a conversation about integration, this afternoon we will be going to Arusha to discuss the integration of the East African community,” Ruto stated.
"This meeting confirms that integration is the future of our continent."
During the event, Ruto praised the First Ladies who had graced the event in support of First Lady Rachel Ruto.
This includes the Deputy President’s spouse Pastor Dorcas Rigathi, African First Ladies Monica Geingos (Namibia), Rebecca Akufo-Addo (Ghana), Angeline Ndayishimiye (Burundi) and Janet Museveni (Uganda).
"I want to thank the First Ladies from Uganda, Burundi, Namibia, Uganda and Ghana. Thank you for honouring us with your presence and for coming to support our First Lady," he added.
"Take our greetings of love and unity to your people and tell them Kenya sends them warm greetings."
The president's remarks come at a time when the future of Kenya's oil deals with other East African Countries is in doubt following the departure of Uganda, which cut ties and entered into an agreement with Tanzania.
A recent report by the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) revealed that four more countries, including Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and South Sudan, were also considering ditching their oil business dealings with Kenya.
The move could ultimately see the Kenyan government lose billions in oil trade. Further, neighbouring countries such as Tanzania could capitalise on the diplomatic tiff to supply oil to the four countries.
