In a rare and symbolic moment that gripped both political watchers and diplomatic circles, Kenya’s fourth President Uhuru Kenyatta returned to State House, Nairobi for the first time since his retirement—received warmly by his successor, President William Ruto.
The meeting wasn’t just another political appearance; it marked a historic convergence of Kenya’s past and present leadership under the banner of peace. The two leaders were brought together by a common cause: charting a path to lasting peace in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
The occasion was the Joint Summit of the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) Co-Chairs, held in Nairobi and attended by a high-profile panel of African leaders tasked with facilitating the peace process in the DRC. Among them were regional heavyweights and experienced statespersons including Olusegun Obasanjo, Catherine Samba-Panza, Sahle-Work Zewde, and Botswana’s President Mokgweetsi Masisi.
For Uhuru, who now serves as the EAC-appointed facilitator of the Nairobi Process, the summit was part of his continental diplomatic mission. For Ruto, who holds the rotating chair of the EAC, the event was an opportunity to reaffirm Kenya’s commitment to regional stability.
The sight of the two Kenyan leaders sharing a moment of unity—shaking hands and exchanging pleasantries—was not just politically striking, but emotionally charged. It was the first time they had met publicly at State House since their bitter political fallout in 2022. And yet, here they stood side by side, not as rivals, but as partners in peace.
“Peace in the DRC is peace for all of us,” President Ruto said during his address, noting that African-led solutions remain the continent’s best hope. “We are stronger together when our leadership is focused on unity.”
The summit sought to harmonize the Nairobi and Luanda Peace Processes into a single, coordinated framework, and establish a unified mechanism for overseeing ceasefire agreements, political dialogue, and humanitarian support in the eastern DRC region. The roadmap also includes plans for joint monitoring teams and reintegration efforts for former fighters.
Behind closed doors, facilitators were briefed on the latest developments and shared their recommendations for fast-tracking implementation. According to insiders, both Uhuru and Ruto took an active role in shaping the consensus.
Despite their political history, there was no visible tension. If anything, the interaction suggested a thaw in their once-frosty relationship—proof that when it comes to Africa’s peace and security, personal grudges can be set aside for the greater good.
Observers say Kenya’s ability to bring together competing regional blocs—EAC and SADC—under one roof is a testament to its rising influence as a diplomatic force on the continent. Nairobi is increasingly becoming the capital of African peace talks.
As the summit ended, one message was clear: Kenya is not just hosting peace talks; it is leading them. And in that leadership, even former political foes can find common ground.
