Kenya's government has announced that President William Ruto will be the chief guest at the inauguration of the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam. The press release from State House indicates that the dam is a symbol of African self-reliance and a milestone for Ethiopia.

The release notes that the Ethiopia-Kenya power interconnector already delivers clean, affordable electricity to Kenya, strengthening energy security, stabilizing supply during droughts, and supporting industrial growth. This direct power link, along with the Kenya-Tanzania interconnector, enhances power trade and improves grid stability, which is vital for East Africa's integration through shared renewable energy.

The added electricity capacity from the interconnector is critical for Kenya, as its peak demand is rising, and it is needed to power special economic zones, industrial parks, ICT hubs, and agro-processing facilities. The partnership aligns with Kenya's Vision 2030 and the Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda by expanding renewable energy, boosting competitiveness, and deepening regional integration.

The press release also states that President Ruto is in Addis Ababa to attend the second Africa Climate Summit. In his role as the chair of the Committee of African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), he will launch a report and push for financial reforms to ease debt and climate risks. He is also scheduled for bilateral meetings and will address the Africa-CARICOM summit on reparatory justice and transcontinental cooperation.