After concluding his tour of Northern Kenya, President William Ruto flew to Tanzania for the EAC-SADC joint summit on DRC.
The meeting brought together Heads of State and government from the regional blocs.
In his address, Ruto reiterated that the ongoing conflict in the eastern DRC can only be resolved through dialogue and not military action.
He emphasised the need for a comprehensive dialogue that addresses the underlying causes of the crisis while securing the DRC's territorial integrity and sovereignty.
He acknowledged the complexity of the conflict, describing it as protracted and involving multiple actors with varying interests.
He, however, stressed that dialogue is not a sign of weakness, but a "testament to our collective wisdom and strength as leaders and as a community".
"Today, we join together to reiterate our calls to the parties to this tragic conflict to immediately cease hostilities and take positive actions to allow meaningful dialogue aimed at the restoration of stability," he said.
Key resolutions were also reached during the meeting.
He later returned to Nairobi for a less eventful week.
Here, is a summary of how it went down.
Monday
At the State House, he delivered the annual address to Heads of Mission and International Organisations.
In his address, he assured them that Kenya remains focused on forging robust bilateral and multilateral cooperation with all nations in an effort to deliver tangible results to global citizens.
"We will champion and expand diplomatic relations, cultivate strategic alignments and build bridges to further our shared success," he said.
On the same day, he attended the 42nd Session of the African Union Development Agency's new partnership for Africa’s Development (AUDA-NEPAD) Heads of State and Government orientation committee.
The meeting was held virtually.
While addressing the participants, Ruto called on African nations to establish and strengthen national AUDA-NEPAD offices to ensure seamless execution, tracking, and reporting of Agenda 2063.
He said African leaders must shape the trajectory of our continent’s development by domesticating, implementing, and championing Agenda 2063.
According to Ruto, the programme holds the potential not only to uplift individual nations but also to transform the whole of Africa.
"Let us mobilise resources, strengthen governance, and forge strategic partnerships that deliver tangible and lasting benefits for the people of Africa."
Tuesday
Ruto held talks with a delegation from the Federation of Saudi Chambers and its business community to explore investment opportunities and strengthen economic ties.
He told the group that Kenya is creating a conducive business environment — with a robust policy and institutional framework — designed to make Kenya the most competitive investment destination.
"Our goal is to attract quality investors to exploit the vast opportunities presented by our Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda," he stated.
This, he said, will accelerate job creation, and skill development, and foster economic diversification, hence enhancing our economic resilience and growth.
At the State House, he also chaired a special Cabinet meeting.
In a dispatch, the Cabinet approved the 2025 Budget Policy Statement (BPS).
The statement, which will now be forwarded to Parliament, sets a Sh4.2 trillion budget for the 2025/26 financial year.
Cabinet said the total expenditure, equivalent to 22.1 per cent of GDP, includes Sh3.09 trillion for recurrent spending, Sh725.1 billion for development, Sh436.7 billion in county transfers, and Sh5 billion for the Contingency Fund.
It also endorsed a plan to allow travellers entering Kenya to enjoy an increased duty-free import limit of up to Sh250,000 from Sh50,000. Previously, travellers complained about having their goods seized for exceeding the Sh50,000 threshold.
Under the plan, passengers bringing goods for personal use valued at up to Sh250,000 will no longer be required to pay customs duties.
A dispatch said the Cabinet endorsed a comprehensive plan to enhance the passenger experience at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) by streamlining operations and bolstering security.
“Security screening at JKIA will be enhanced through risk-based profiling, ensuring only flagged bags undergo manual inspection in a dedicated screening room, reducing delays and improving efficiency,” the dispatch said.
Wednesday
He bid farewell to the outgoing Angolan Ambassador to Kenya Sianga Abilio at State House.
Ruto congratulated him for completing his tour of duty and wished him well in all his future endeavours.
He also underscored the strong and cordial relationship spanning 50 years between Kenya and Angola.
Our areas of convergence and mutual interest include trade and investment, and education, he said.
The bonds between the two countries, he noted, were significantly boosted by President Joao Lourenço's State Visit to our country in 2023, and the 11 memoranda of understanding our two governments signed, ranging from agriculture, forestry and wildlife management.
The president also had a telephone conversation with His Highness Prince Rahim Aga Khan V.
He conveyed the condolences of the Government and the people of Kenya following the passing on of his father, His Highness Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
"I congratulated him for his accession as the 50th Imam of the Shia Ismaili Community and pledged to continue working together in the areas of education, health, environment, among others."
He later witnessed the signing of an MoU with Abu Dhabi's Al Dahra to expand the Galana-Kulalu irrigation project.
According to the president, irrigation is a key pillar of our food security value chain.
The government's plan, he said, is to ensure increased agricultural production and productivity to feed the nation.
He added that Kenya is building on the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between Kenya and the United Arab Emirates to initiate development, including irrigation projects, that impacts the lives of Kenyans.
Thursday
He left the country for Addis Ababa, Ethiopia for the 38th ordinary session of the African Union (AU).
He is accompanied by first lady mama Rachel.
