Government Signs Scholarship Deal for Kenyans to Study in Italy

Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Alfred Mutua on Monday, June 5, signed a pact with the Italian government on scholarships for Kenyans to study overseas. 

In a statement, the CS stated that the agreement is inclined on providing Kenyans with technical experience in Italian companies. The deal was signed during a meeting with the Italian Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign and International Relations Antonio Tajani in Rome, Italy. The engagement comes as a follow-up to a visit by Italian President Sergio Mattarella to Kenya in March 2023. 

Mutua emphasized that the engagement was leaned on putting into action the agreement between Presidents Ruto and President Mattarella. He also announced plans for a Kenya-Italy business forum scheduled for November 2023 to attract investors and tourists from the European country. In areas of blue economy, Mutua stated that Kenya will begin exporting seafood to Italy. The trio’s engagement comes months after President Ruto held discussions with President Mattarella on March 14 at State House Nairobi.

During a press briefing alongside President Sergio Mattarella, the Head of State emphasized the government’s willingness to collaborate with the Italian Government in resolving any obstacles hindering the progress of the Kimwarer, Arror, and Itare dams projects. Ruto affirmed his government’s efforts to resume the Arror and Kimwarer projects within a few months, terming them crucial for alleviating water scarcity in parts of the Rift Valley.

Kenya will receive assistance from the Italian President in the form of loans and grants amounting to Sh13 billion to support several projects in the agriculture, health, creative economy, and digital superhighway sectors. In 2019, the progress of building the Arror and Kimwarer dams was disrupted when then-President Uhuru Kenyatta halted their development due to allegations of corruption.