Uhuru returns to State House for first time since 2022 handover
President William Ruto has hosted his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, at State House, Nairobi, for the first time since Uhuru left the house on the hill on September 13, 2022, handing over power to President William Ruto.
Uhuru’s visit comes as Kenya hosts a high-level summit, the joint East African Community and Southern African Development Community Co-Chairs’ meeting at State House, Nairobi.
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Notably, Uhuru Kenyatta, who now serves as a peace envoy, took part in the talks, which seek to bring peace to the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
According to President Ruto, the meeting, which was held on Friday, August 1, 2025, saw other leaders from neighbouring countries attend.
In a statement by Ruto, he highlighted that the key meeting was centred around developing a long-lasting solution for sustainable peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo.
“The East African Community and the Southern African Development Community are committed to working with other partners to find a lasting solution for sustainable peace in the Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo,” Ruto said.
Other leaders present
In addition, the Head of State, while revealing the other leaders present in the meeting, noted that former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo did not make it to the physical meeting, hence he attended the meeting virtually.
“The meeting seeks to review progress and chart the path for lasting peace and security in Eastern DRC. Present are AU Commission Chairperson Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, former Presidents Uhuru Kenyatta (Kenya), Catherine Samba-Panza (Central African Republic), Sahle-Work Zewde (Ethiopia) and Mokgweetsi Eric Kabetswe Masisi (Botswana). Former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo will take part in the meeting virtually,” Ruto said.
Ruto acknowledged the regional support towards resolving the end of the war in DRC while stressing the importance of comprehensive humanitarian assistance.
“Our resolve to end war, loss of life, and ensure comprehensive humanitarian assistance in the DRC leapt forward when the Heads of State of the two regional blocs appointed five facilitators in our joint effort for this endeavour. With President Emmerson Mnangagwa, co-chairing a meeting of the facilitators at State House, Nairobi,” Ruto said.
