Return of President Ruto’s Trips? Ruto Flies to Rwanda for Kagame’s Inauguration

President William Ruto, regaining his wing to fly, returned to international engagements with a trip to Kigali, Rwanda, for President Paul Kagame’s fourth term inauguration after a 57-day hiatus caused by Gen Z-led anti-government protests in his country. Before this break, Ruto had been on an extensive international schedule, visiting 38 countries across 62 trips within 20 months of his leadership, beginning in September 2022. These trips, averaging three per month, were put on hold as the protests demanded his presence at home.

During his travel pause, President Ruto missed several key global and regional engagements, including the sixth mid-year coordination meeting of the African Union (AU) in Accra, Ghana, despite his role as the AU champion for institutional reform. Trips to the United States and Europe were also sidelined. According to political analyst Herman Manyora, prioritizing domestic matters and engaging diplomatically from home aligns with necessary austerity measures, suggesting virtual communication as a viable alternative for maintaining international relations.

However, Ruto’s trip to Rwanda marks a significant return to his active diplomatic itinerary. His presence at Kagame’s inauguration, alongside 23 other heads of state and government, was highlighted by face-to-face interactions that had been restricted to phone or virtual communication due to his travel stoppage. State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohammed emphasized that the visit underscored the flourishing relationship between Kenya and Rwanda, benefiting both countries and their regional positioning.

Ruto’s commitment to maintaining an active international profile, despite criticism, underscores his belief in the benefits of such engagements. President Kagame, taking office for another term, continues his long-standing leadership, having been at the core of Rwanda’s governance since 1994. This event represents not only his continuity in office but also the ongoing diplomatic interactions essential for regional cooperation and progress.

Does this mark the return of President Ruto’s Trips to other countries? It stands to be the question on every Kenyan citizen’s mind.