President Kenyatta departs to Kigali, Rwanda for AU summit

President Uhuru Kenyatta on Saturday morning left the country for Kigali, Rwanda to attend the 27th Ordinary Session of the Assembly of the African Union.

The summit’s theme is the “African Year of Human Rights with a particular focus on Women Rights”.

During the summit, the African Union Commission (AUC) elections will take place where a new Chairperson and a Deputy Chairperson shall be elected.

Eight other commissioner positions will also be voted upon.  Kenya’s Ambassador (Eng.) Mahboub M. Maalim is vying for the seat of Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy.

At the summit, African leaders will officially launch the AU passport.

The launch of the African Union Passport is considered a critical development to ease free movement of people, spur economic growth and development as well as promote intra-African trade.

The AU passport will boost and ease business transactions within African countries; it will also reduce the trade deficit among African nations.

First Lady Margaret Kenyatta, who is accompanying the President, is scheduled to attend the Organisation of African First Ladies Against HIV/AIDS (OAFLA).

The plane carrying the President and the First Lady departed the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport shortly after 10:00 am

Chief of Defence Forces General Samson Mwathethe and Inspector General of Police Joseph Boinet led other senior government officials in seeing off the President.

By James Mwambai