William Ruto Lands in Zimbabwe Amid Rain After Mashujaa Day Celebrations in Eldoret

President William Ruto has arrived in Zimbabwe to attend the 25th COMESA Heads of State and Government Summit in Harare, where he is expected to hand over the chairmanship of the regional bloc to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa on Thursday, October 22, 2026.

Ruto departed Kenya on Wednesday evening, October 21, a day after presiding over the 63rd Mashujaa Day celebrations at Kipchoge Keino Stadium in Eldoret. He arrived at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport amid rainy weather.

He was received by Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry, Barbara Rwodzi, who represented the government, alongside Kenya’s Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Gertrude Nyausi Angote.

Zimbabwe has served as COMESA’s vice-chair since the 24th summit, held in Nairobi in October 2025. The country is expected to take over the chairmanship for the 2026–2027 term.

The summit is being held at Zimbabwe’s new Parliament building in Mount Hampden under the theme, “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA.”

More than 1,000 delegates are expected to attend the meeting, which will focus on trade facilitation, industrial development and investment. COMESA has 21 member states with a combined population of more than 640 million people.

Ruto’s trip follows the Mashujaa Day celebrations in Eldoret, which were jointly hosted by Uasin Gishu, Elgeyo-Marakwet and Nandi counties. It was the first time three counties had jointly hosted the national event. Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed was among the invited guests.

During his address, Ruto proposed tax relief measures, including changes to Pay As You Earn (PAYE) tax, an exemption from land stamp duty and the removal of import duty on mobile phones. He also announced plans to provide 50,000 internship opportunities.

The President noted that it was his fifth Mashujaa Day address since taking office. He also said he would later launch the autobiography of freedom fighter Achieng’ Oneko, titled The Price of Freedom.

Ruto urged political leaders to focus on ideas and development plans rather than ethnic divisions and personal attacks. He also pledged to complete the canopy at Kipchoge Keino Stadium within months.

During the celebrations, he recognised several Kenyan athletes, including Faith Kipyegon, Beatrice Chebet, Peres Jepchirchir, Faith Cherotich and Lilian Odira.

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