By Fredrick Njuguna
His Excellency President (Rtd) Uhuru Kenyatta arrived in Benin City, Nigeria, to participate for this year’s Goodluck Jonathan Foundation (GJF) Democratic Dialogue, which is scheduled to take place today.
Uhuru, serves as the AU-Kenya Peace Envoy and Facilitator of the EAC-Led Nairobi Peace Process.
The event, which was established in 2015, is now in its third sitting in the series and is to be held in Edo State’s capital.
It was organized by GFJ founder and former Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and co-hosting the dialogue is Edo State Governor, Godwin Obaseki.
This year’s dialogue focuses on the theme, “Functional Education and Effective Political Leadership as a Panacea to Africa’s Growth and Development.”
The aim is to bring together key political leaders, policy makers and experts from across the continent.
The discussions will focus on the crucial role of educating political leaders and figures as well as recruitment of effective political leaders in order to achieve development goals and welfare of African Nations.
The trip follows Uhuru’s recent visit to South Africa, where he led the AU poll observer mission as the country held its elections on 29 May 2024, to elect a new National Assembly as well as the provincial legislature in each of the nine provinces.
Uhuru’s visit comes amidst controversy surrounding the government’s facilitation of his foreign trips, with his office claiming that the Retirement Benefits Act for former presidents has not been fully honored.
“The Act stipulates that the former President is entitled to four international trips. Since retirement to date only two such trips have been honored,” said Uhuru through his spokesperson, Kanze Dena.