Ruto backs summit trips he faulted for ‘summoning African leaders’

William Ruto

President William Ruto gestures while giving a speech at state house in Nairobi, Kenya on October 21, 2023. PHOTO | FRANCIS NDERITU | NMG

Photo credit: Francis Nderitu | Nation Media Group

Kenya's President William Ruto has defended his attendance at this week's Italy-Africa summit, months after he heavily criticised the habit of summoning African leaders to foreign capitals.

In a statement issued after the meeting in Rome, the Kenyan leader walked back some of the criticism, saying instead he supported the pragmatic arrangement of selecting a group of leaders to represent the continent.