Kenya's new president hosts leaders of Somalia, South Sudan, Congo on 1st day in office

By Andrew Wasike

NAIROBI, Kenya (AA) - On his first day in office, Kenya’s new President William Ruto hosted the leaders of Somalia, South Sudan, and Congo for talks on Wednesday.

Discussions with Somalia’s President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud revolved around the security situation in Somalia and the Horn of Africa.

“We will fast-track the implementation of the Joint Commission for Cooperation between Kenya and Somalia. This will boost trade in Miraa (Khat) and fish and ease movement between our two nations,” Ruto said on Twitter.

With South Sudan’s President Salva Kiir, Ruto said he “discussed various bilateral agreements and areas of cooperation, including security and regional infrastructure development.”

The new Kenyan leader said his government will work with South Sudan to enhance intra-African trade by strengthening “the East African Community and other regional economic blocs in the continent.”

After meeting with Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of the Congo, Ruto said the two sides are keen to bolster their food security by harnessing the “tremendous potential for agriculture” in both countries.

Ruto also attended the swearing-in ceremony for four judges, all his appointees who had been rejected by his predecessor Uhuru Kenyatta.

“My administration will respect the independence of the judiciary and all the other institutions in a manner that makes them efficient to deliver on their respective mandates,” he said.

Ruto, 55, and his Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua were sworn in a day earlier, marking the end of a deadlock that emerged after he won the Aug. 9 presidential election, a victory challenged by his Kenyatta-backed opponent Raila Odinga.

Kenya’s top court eventually upheld Ruto’s election victory, dismissing nine petitions seeking to nullify the result.