President William Ruto embarked on a bustling week as usual with a series of engagements.
The week's activities commenced with a high-profile event, COP28 where the President engaged in several activities.
On Sunday,Ruto met the United Arab Emirates (UAE) President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan on the sidelines of the COP28 summit.
The 28th session of the Conference of Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change is being held in Dubai.
According to Ruto, the Kenya and UAE partnership aims to establish a more robust trade connection that will expand the value of our country’s exports which stand at Sh34.6 billion.
Kenya and the United Arab Emirates enjoy long-standing relations founded in history and rich cultural ties.
"Through these associations — coupled with Dubai’s strategic location in the globe as the commercial and trading hub," Ruto said.
India visit
President Ruto on Tuesday headed to India for a two-day visit where he will engage in bilateral talks forging healthcare partnerships, particularly in pharmaceuticals production and capacity building, and collaboration in education.
He met with India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi where their talks lead to the signing of several memoranda of understanding that will strengthen ties between the two countries.
The two countries signed five MOUs on health, Information Communication Technology, avocados, energy and the SME sectors.
Ruto later visited the official residence of the President of India, as part of his two-day state visit to the Asian country.
He was received by President Droupadi Murmu.
Also present during the visit was India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi, among other senior officials.
As is tradition, Ruto was welcomed with a gourd of honour by the Indian military.
Received credentials
After his trip to India, President William Ruto on Thursday received credentials from 11 new ambassadors and high commissioners at State House.
He said Kenya will foster strong bilateral relations with other nations to enhance its development agenda.
“Bilateral relations are crucial as they facilitate cooperation on areas of mutual interest unlocking opportunities for economic, political, and social development,” Ruto said.
The ambassadors who presented their credentials include Ibra Hussain Khan (Pakistan), Mohammed bin Mutair Ammash Al-Shamlani Al-Enazi (Qatar), Bernard Yohana Kibesse (Tanzania), Nasra Salim Mohamed Al Hashmi (Oman), Jibril Ibrahim Abdulle (Somalia), Ali Gholampour (Iran) and Jenny Da Rin (Australia).
Ruto has asked newly appointed diplomats to curb the wastage of public resources in Kenya's missions abroad.
The President highlighted that the government will ensure ambassadors are held accountable for the use of funds allocated to embassies.
“As the ambassador, you are the agent of the government of Kenya to make sure public resources allocated to your embassies are used prudently,” he said.
NYS pass-out parade
The Head of State on Friday presided over the pass-out parade of National Youth Service graduates in Gilgil, Nakuru County.
Ruto put the National Youth Service on the frontline to play a critical role in line with his Bottom-up economic transformation plan.
To effect this, Kenyans trained at the National Youth Service will be prioritised as the Government seeks to export Kenya's labour.
"Already we are concluding negotiations with Germany, Saudi Arabia, and 8 other countries on the export of labour and NYS will be the central organisation for redeployment training so that Kenyans understand what they need to do for work as labour that is exported," Ruto said.
He noted that his administration plans to invest in a future that will exploit the potential of young people in national development.
"Already we are concluding negotiations with Germany, Saudi Arabia, and 8 other countries on the export of labour and NYS will be the central organisation for redeployment training so that Kenyans understand what they need to do for work as labour that is exported," Ruto said.
He noted that his administration plans to invest in a future that will exploit the potential of young people in national development.
At the same time, Ruto announced that 8 per cent of security recruitments will now go to NYS in subsequent selections.
He said the National Security Council has already endorsed a plan that will those to be recruited in the police service, Kenya Defence Forces, Kenya Wildlife Services and the Kenya Forest Service are derived from NYS.
Youth Connekt Africa
On Saturday, the President accompanied by his deputy attended the Youth Connekt Africa Summit at KICC, Nairobi.
Ruto interacted with youths and challenged the young people in Africa to be champions of environmental stewardship.
The president said the youth must foster innovative practices that protect the planet while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for future generations.
''They (youth) must get into renewable energy, promoting sustainable agriculture and developing climate-resilient infrastructure,'' Ruto said.
The President later left for Djibouti to attend the 41st Extraordinary session of the IGAD Assembly of Heads of State and Government.