President William Ruto will Monday chair a high-level retreat on the African Union (AU) institutional reforms.
The meeting to be held at State House brings together select heads of state and government from the continent.
Ruto is chairing the meeting in his capacity as the champion for the institutional reforms in the organisation, a job he assumed in February 2024 taking over from Rwanda’s Paul Kagame.
The reforms involve revitalising the structure, functioning, and focus of the African Union Commission (AUC), AU organs, and specialised agencies.
The aim is to make these organs more effective and efficient in managing the programmes of the AU.
Ruto has been tasked with the responsibility of providing political leadership and vision and completing the comprehensive institutional reform initiative that began in 2016.
Among those already in the country for the meeting are Comoros President Azali Assoumani, Johan Mahama (Ghana), Umaro Sissoco Embalo (Guinea Bissau) and Taye Atske Selassie (Ethiopia).
AUC chairperson Moussa Faki is also expected to attend.
The meeting is expected to provide a roadmap for the acceleration of radical changes at the institution.
On enhancing financial autonomy, the discussion will address innovative mechanisms for sustainable financing of the AU, reducing reliance on external donors and ensuring the union’s financial independence.
Ruto will present the final report on these reforms during the 38th Ordinary Session of the AU General Assembly, scheduled for February 15-16, 2025.
Ruto has reaffirmed Kenya's steadfast commitment to advancing reforms within the organisation.
He said the reforms are essential to ensuring that the Union's institutions remain responsive, effective, and aligned with the evolving needs of our continent.
“I am committed to collaborating closely with Guinea-Bissau and other partners to drive this reform agenda and fulfil the mandate entrusted to me by the African leadership during the 37th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of Heads of State and Government,’’ he said when he met Embalo.
