Ruto back in Kenya after handing over COMESA chairmanship to Mnangagwa
Kenyan President William Ruto has returned home after concluding his tenure as the chairperson of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). During the summit in Zimbabwe, he handed over the leadership role to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa.
Why it matters
The transition of leadership within COMESA highlights ongoing efforts to strengthen regional economic integration and trade cooperation across 21 African nations.
President William Ruto arrives back in the country from Zimbabwe on October 23, 2026 / PCS President William Ruto returned to the country on Friday after handing over the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) chairmanship to Zimbabwean President Emmerson Mnangagwa during the regional bloc’s 25th Summit of Heads of State and Government in Harare, Zimbabwe.
Ruto travelled to Zimbabwe on Wednesday ahead of the summit, which was held on Thursday under the theme “One Market, One Future: Advancing Inclusive Industrialisation, Investment and Regional Integration in COMESA”.
The handover marked the end of Kenya’s tenure at the helm of COMESA, following Ruto’s election as chairperson in 2025.
Leaders from the 21-member regional bloc used the summit to discuss ways to deepen regional integration, strengthen trade and investment, advance industrialisation and improve economic cooperation among member states.
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