Nairobi — President William Ruto is on Friday slated to participate in the Saudi-Africa Summit at the King Abdulaziz International Conference Centre in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Having arrived in Saudi Arabia on Thursday evening, President Ruto joins leaders from the 54 African Union member states for the summit.
Upon his arrival, he was welcomed by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Abdul Rahman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, the Deputy Governor of Riyadh.
The summit serves as a vital platform for discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral relations between Saudi Arabia and the African nations, covering diverse areas such as trade, investment, security, and development.
The summit offers leaders an opportunity to address shared regional and global challenges.
The inaugural Saudi-Africa Summit took place in Riyadh in 2009, and it has been an annual event since, with the exception of 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent summit was held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in July 2022.
Throughout its iterations, the summit has played a crucial role in strengthening the ties between Saudi Arabia and African leaders, fostering increased cooperation across various domains.
Additionally, the summit has contributed to raising awareness about Africa's potential, fostering investment, and promoting trade between Saudi Arabia and the African continent.
The journey to Saudi Arabia marks the 40th foreign travel undertaken by the President, drawing considerable criticism from Kenyans due to the substantial financial expenditure incurred by Kenyan taxpayers.
Despite facing sharp scrutiny, President Ruto has staunchly justified his frequent foreign travels, emphasizing his role as the country's Chief Ambassador.
He contends that these trips contribute tangible value to the nation, citing the creation of job opportunities and the establishment of trade agreements resulting from the bilateral discussions held with various leaders.
"They are people on my case as to why I am making foreign trips. That's my mandate as the President. I am the chief agent of Kenya and ambassador who will plan on how the country will move forward," said Ruto on October 29, 2023.
