Ruto arrives in Rwanda for joint meeting with Kagame

President William Ruto has arrived in Rwanda ahead of the 9th session of the Joint Permanent Commission for Cooperation (JPCC).

He arrived in Urugwiro Village, Kigali, Rwanda, at around 1:33 pm. 

The President was received by his Rwandan counterpart Paul Kagame. 

National Anthems of the two countries were played, including the East African. 

Ruto was accompanied Cabinet Secretaries including Alfred Mutua (Foreign Affairs), Mithika Linturi (Agriculture), Aisha Jumwa (Gender), and Peninah Malonza (Tourism) 

Attoney General Justin Muturi is also in Rwanda.  

Kenya and Rwanda established JPCC as a guiding framework of bilateral relations.

The first general agreement of cooperation between the two East African nations was first signed in 1979 and since then, the Joint Permanent Commission (JPC) sessions have been held.

The meeting allows the two countries to discuss areas of mutual interest to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

Talks on peace and security in the Eastern DRC are also expected to feature during a meeting between the Head of State and his counterpart Paul Kagame.

Kenya is playing a key role in ensuring peace in DRC having joined other EAC countries in sending its troops to help in the mission.

Under the framework, the two countries have signed several Memoranda of Understanding in Air Transport, Education, Agriculture, Water and Irrigation Management and Cooperatives Development.

Other areas are Security and Governance, Civil Service, Immigration, and Cooperation in the field of Correctional Services, Justice and Constitutional Affairs.

“The constantly changing global landscape dictates that the mission continuously review and align its strategic objectives to the changing trends to effectively deliver,” a service charter from Kenya’s foreign mission reads.

The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1965 which was followed by the opening of the Kenya High Commission in Kigali in 1986.

The mission was, however, temporarily closed in 1994 due to the Rwanda genocide but was re-opened in 2001.

“Their relations are not only historical but are defined by the indispensable need to work together within the spirit of the EAC,” it further reads.