Monday 31,March 2025 {HMC} President William Ruto is set to begin a five-day tour of the Mt. Kenya region on Tuesday, bringing with him development projects worth billions of shillings. This marks his first visit to the region in nearly six months, with his itinerary kicking off in Laikipia County.

A section of Rift Valley leaders allied to President Ruto have criticized former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua for allegedly making statements that could incite the region against the president during his visit.

The president’s weeklong tour will cover nine counties: Laikipia, Nyeri, Meru, Kirinyaga, Nyandarua, Murang’a, Embu, Tharaka-Nithi, and Kiambu. During his visit, he is expected to inspect, commission, and launch various development projects.

The president’s itinerary includes projects in key sectors such as road infrastructure, affordable housing, fresh produce markets, last-mile electricity connectivity, water, and irrigation.

On the first day of his tour, President Ruto is expected to visit modern fresh produce markets at various stages of completion. This initiative is aimed at fulfilling his promise to small-scale traders, ensuring they have adequate space and sanitation at their workplaces. The government has rolled out 500 such markets nationwide, with more set to be launched and inspected in the counties he will visit.

The State House itinerary also indicates that President Ruto will inspect the ongoing construction of the Mau Mau Road in Lari Constituency, Kiambu. The Mau Mau roads, which recently received a Ksh5 billion allocation, traverse the Aberdare and Mt. Kenya forests in Kiambu, Murang’a, Nyandarua, and Nyeri counties.

Additionally, the president will inspect the construction of County Aggregation and Industrial Parks (CAIPs) across the nine counties in Mt. Kenya. The national government and county governments are jointly investing Ksh500 million per park, with each level of government contributing Ksh250 million to the projects. President Ruto is also expected to launch new affordable housing projects as part of his broader development agenda.

As the president prepares for his tour, local leaders allied to the government continue to urge residents to welcome him peacefully and avoid divisive politics.

Murang’a Woman Representative Betty Maina called for unity, stating: “Let us welcome the President well.” Similarly, Nominated MP Sabina Chege echoed the sentiment, emphasizing the need for a peaceful reception.

Meanwhile, Rift Valley leaders allied to President Ruto have taken issue with remarks made by former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua. They accuse him of making statements that could turn public sentiment against the president.

Nandi Governor Stephen Sang criticized Gachagua, saying: “We want to tell Gachagua to leave the President alone. You can’t keep saying he is a one-term President, yet you also did not finish half a term. Ruto will be elected for a second term.” Politician Allan Kosgei also urged unity, stating: “Let us support the President to change our country.”

Beyond the development agenda, President Ruto is also expected to address the political landscape of the Mt. Kenya region. Many anticipate explanations regarding his fallout with former Deputy President Gachagua, a key figure in his rise to power.

Monday 31,March 2025 {HMC} Former Somali President Mohamed Abdullahi Farmaajo and ex-Prime Ministers Abdi Farah Shirdon and Mohamed Hussein Roble have endorsed President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud’s call for peace talks, describing it as a necessary step toward unified counterterrorism efforts and advancing Somalia’s federal governance system.

In a statement released Sunday, Farmaajo urged President Mohamud to follow through on his call by establishing an inclusive platform that fosters trust, cooperation, and constitutional order.

“As we have consistently emphasized, the critical issues impacting Somalia’s future and its governance system demand collective responsibility, rooted in dialogue and consensus,” Farmaajo stated.

He stressed that the forum must include all relevant actors from the federal and state levels and serve as a space to back the armed forces and evaluate their role in the fight against Al-Shabaab.

Former Prime Minister Mohamed Hussein Roble also hoped the forum would yield tangible outcomes.

“I call on government leaders and political stakeholders to embrace this opportunity sincerely, always putting the national interest before personal gain,” he wrote on Facebook.

Abdi Farah Shirdon, who served as prime minister between 2012 and 2013, lauded the President’s invitation as a responsible and unifying gesture.

“I commend President Hassan Sheikh Mohamud for taking the initiative to bring together government leaders, politicians, and intellectuals at a critical time,” he stated.

President Mohamud called for dialogue during Saturday night’s Eid al-Fitr celebrations, urging political unity to confront Somalia’s twin challenges—defeating the Al-Shabaab insurgency and solidifying the federal system. He invited all political figures, including opponents, signaling a willingness to bridge divides and form a unified national response.

The call comes as Somalia’s military campaign—backed by local militias and international partners—makes territorial gains in Galmudug, Hirshabelle, and Lower Shabelle. Despite these successes, Al-Shabaab remains entrenched in rural regions and continues to carry out asymmetric attacks across the country.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Sunday held phone calls with world leaders to discuss regional and global issues, as well as to extend Eid greetings.

During a phone call with Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Erdogan said that Ankara will continue to work with Algiers to halt the ongoing Israeli attacks in Palestine and ensure a ceasefire is established, according to Türkiye’s Communications Directorate.

Türkiye will continue to make efforts to enhance the relations between the two nations through steps to be taken and visits to be made, he added.

In a separate phone call with Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, the national leader of the Turkmen people and chairman of the People’s Council of Turkmenistan, Erdogan said that efforts will continue to further advance cooperation between Türkiye and Turkmenistan in all areas.

The call also addressed regional and global issues.

Later in the day, Erdogan also held a phone call with Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto, the directorate said.

The two leaders discussed regional and global issues, as well as bilateral relations.

“President Erdogan stated during the call that the relations between Türkiye and Indonesia have developed in a pleasing direction, and this progress will continue through mutual visits and steps to enhance cooperation,” it added.

Erdogan also held a phone call with his Uzbek counterpart Shavkat Mirziyoyev and discussed regional and global issues, as well as bilateral ties between the two nations.

The strength of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Uzbekistan and Türkiye is “pleasing,” Erdogan said, adding that the cooperation will continue to increase in the upcoming period.

Erdogan and his Kazakh counterpart Kassym-Jomart Tokayev also spoke over the phone and discussed bilateral relations, as well as regional and global issues.

During the call, the Turkish president said that efforts will continue to advance the high-level strategic cooperation between Türkiye and Kazakhstan.

Erdogan also held a phone call with Sultan of Oman Haitham bin Tariq.

The two leaders’ call addressed the global and regional issues, as well as bilateral relations between the two nations.

“President Erdogan stated that the Eid was met with sadness due to Israel’s atrocities in Gaza, and underlined that Türkiye will continue to stand in solidarity with Palestine on every platform,” the directorate said.

Erdogan also held phone call with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.

The two leaders discussed regional and global issues, as well as bilateral ties between the two nations.

“Drawing attention to the deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Palestine, President Erdogan stressed the importance of standing in unity against Israel’s aggressions, and noted that efforts should be intensified to reach a permanent ceasefire and establish peace,” the directorate said.

The Turkish leader also held a phone call with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The call addressed the bilateral ties, as well as regional and global issues.

“Stating that Türkiye will not leave Gaza alone under Israeli oppression, President Erdogan noted that Türkiye will continue to explain Palestine’s just cause,” the directorate said.

The Turkish President Erdogan also held a phone call with his Kazakh counterpart, Sadyr Japarov.

“During the call, President Erdogan said that the cooperation between Türkiye and the Kyrgyz Republic will continue to develop in every field,” the directorate said.

The call addressed the regional and global issues, as well as the bilateral ties.

Erdogan also extended his Eid greetings to all the leaders.