Uhuru lands in Nigeria for democracy dialogue

Former President Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Nigeria’s port city of Benin ahead of the start of the 2024 Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democracy Dialogue.

The event, which is the third in the series, will be held in the Edo State's capital.

The forum is organized by GJF founder and former Nigerian President Dr Goodluck Jonathan.

Edo State Governor Godwin Obaseki will co-host the dialogue.

“This year's dialogue, with the theme "Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa's Growth and Development," aims to bring together key political leaders, policymakers and experts from across the continent,” Uhuru’s office said in a statement Wednesday evening.

The office said discussions will focus on the crucial role of education and the recruitment of effective political leaders in achieving the development goals of African nations.

Uhuru, Kenya’s 4th president is the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process.

He was recently in South Africa where he led the AU poll observer mission as the country held its elections on 29 May 2024 to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces.

Uhuru’s travel comes amid controversy surrounding facilitation of his foreign trips by the government which his office claims has not been fulfilled as per the Retirement Benefits Act for former presidents.

"The Act stipulates that the former President is entitled to foiur international trips. Since retirement to date only two such trip have been honoured," Uhuru said through his spokesperson Kanze Dena.

State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said on Tuesday President William Ruto has since constituted a team to address all the retirement perks issues raised by Uhuru's office.

He said the team will be led by Head of Public Service Felix Koskei.

"It will immediately address all the issues raised, including the location of the retired President’s office and the attendant staff establishment," Mohamed said.