NAIROBI, Kenya – President William Ruto departs today, Tuesday, December 2, 2025, for Washington, D.C., in the U.S.A. at the invitation of his counterpart Donald Trump.
During his visit, State House spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the Kenyan leader is set to join Presidents Paul Kagame (Rwanda) and Felix Tshisekedi (DRC) in witnessing the official signing of the DRC-Rwanda Peace Agreement.
“The peace deal is the most significant breakthrough in addressing decades of conflict in Eastern DRC,” Hussein said in a statement ahead of the visit.
Building on the Nairobi-Luanda Peace Process as well as the joint East African Community (EAC) – Southern African Development Community (SADC) initiative, Hussein indicated that the Washington signing brings together all key parties and is expected to unlock pathways for disarmament, demobilisation, humanitarian access, and long-term stabilisation.
The Nairobi Process, facilitated by the EAC, is a regional peace initiative focused on resolving the conflict in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Initiated in April 2022, it aims to foster dialogue between the DRC government and armed groups. This process seeks to achieve a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict in the region.
What is the EAC-SADC initiative
On the other hand, the EAC-SADC initiative is part of a greater effort towards economic integration in Eastern and Southern Africa. This involves the EAC and SADC, encompassing 26 member countries. There are discussions about merging the EAC, SADC, and AU peace structures into a single mechanism. The initiative aims to accelerate economic integration across the region, benefiting its population.
Meanwhile, while in Washington, Hussein also disclosed that the president will participate in engagements aimed at advancing Kenya’s strategic interests in trade, investment, health, cooperation, and security.
“He will also witness the signing of the Kenya-U.S. Health Cooperation Framework, which shifts the 25-year partnership to a sustainable, government-led model aimed at advancing Universal Health Coverage and supporting a self-reliant health system by 2030,” Hussein added.
Kenya’s new economic transformation agenda
In all scheduled engagements, the State House spokesperson reiterated that President Ruto will endeavour to outline Kenya’s new economic transformation agenda towards a first-world economy, driven by human capital development, infrastructure expansion, agro-industrial growth, and expanded irrigation through extensive dam construction.
“He (President Ruto) will seek Public-Private Partnership (PPP) investment in these priority sectors, alongside enhanced energy security initiatives, to support the country’s long-term development aspirations,” Hussein added.
Recently, President Ruto has expressed optimism about Kenya achieving first-world status, aiming for this transition within the next three decades, specifically by 2055. He believes this transformation is possible and has called for support to achieve this goal.
The president has also acknowledged the current economic challenges, including rising poverty levels, which highlight the magnitude of the undertaking. This vision involves significant economic and social advancements to move Kenya from its current status.
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