DP William Ruto in Instabul for Humanitarian Summit

Deputy President William Ruto arrived in Istanbul, Turkey Sunday morning ahead of the World Humanitarian Summit.

Mr Ruto, who is accompanied by Interior Cabinet Secretary Joseph Nkaissery and Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Monica Juma, is expected to state Kenya’s stand on the refugee crisis.

The Summit is being hosted by United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon and Prime Minister of Turkey.

The meeting will  discuss the humanitarian crisis in the world including the refugee crisis in Kenya and Turkey among other countries, natural disasters and climate change- managing risks and crisis.

The summit will also dwell on the need to commit nations to address forced displacement of persons.

The meeting comes hot on the heels of Kenya’s decision to close Daadab Refugee Camp. The United Nations and other developed countries have asked Kenya to rescind its decision.

Last week, the UN sent a high ranking Security Council team to meet with President Kenyatta over the decision.

Mr Ruto is expected to hold talks with the UN Secretary General and also Mr Filippo Grandi, UN High Commissioner for Refugees.

The Deputy President is also expected to hold a bilateral meeting with Mr Stephen O’Brien, Under- Secretary General (OCHA), and Hon Justine Greening MP, Secretary of State of International Development of the U.K.

Mr Ruto, who is representing President Uhuru Kenyatta, will co-chair the high level leaders roundtable on natural disasters and climate change.

The roundtable meeting seeks to build on the global agreement in 2015 to commit to a more collective approach to managing risks and increasing investments in preparedness, reinforcing national and local systems as well as agreeing on clear responsibilities triggers and guaranteed finance for early action.

The summit is being held for the first time to address the extraordinary challenges to the current international humanitarian system.