Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed is in the country in for a state visit, marking his first official visit since President William Ruto assumed office. President Ruto warmly welcomed Prime Minister Abiy today, Tuesday, February 27, 2024 at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, setting the stage for discussions on security and economic collaboration between the two nations.

“This visit emphasizes the strong bond between Ethiopia and Kenya and opens up new avenues for cooperation in the region,” stated President Ruto during the welcoming ceremony.

The primary focus of the visit is Ethiopia’s keen interest in utilizing Kenya’s Lamu Port for maritime access, aiming to boost economic ties and regional connectivity. The visit signals a significant step towards strengthening relations between Nairobi and Addis Ababa, with a particular emphasis on enhancing security cooperation.

Furthermore, key agreements were signed in sectors such as tourism, wildlife, culture, and petroleum during the 36th Joint Ministerial Commission meeting in Addis Ababa. Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi expressed his enthusiasm, stating, “I am excited by this great opportunity to explore ways to strengthen the friendly relations between our two countries on economic, social, security, and foreign relations.”

President Ruto is also expected to leverage the visit to rally support for Raila Odinga’s bid for the African Union chairmanship, with former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo endorsing Odinga as the best candidate for the position.