"Invited": Uhuru Kenyatta departs Nairobi for Ethiopia

This story has significance for readers across Kenya and beyond.

- Former President Uhuru Kenyatta travelled to Addis Ababa at the invitation of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission ahead of Saturday's closing ceremony

- The National Dialogue Conference, which opened on July 15, 2026, brought together nearly 4,000 delegates from across Ethiopian society to address deep political and ethnic divisions

- Kenyatta's first notable public outing in months comes amid fresh accusations from his successor, President William Ruto, that he has been funding opposition activities

Kenya's former president Uhuru Kenyatta has arrived in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, ahead of the closing ceremony of the Ethiopian National Dialogue Conference, set to take place on August 22.

The conference has been for weeks at the Addis International Convention Center.

According to Uhuru's office, the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission extended the invitation to the former president, citing his record in peacebuilding and promoting inclusive political dialogue across the region.

His attendance at the closing session signals the broader Horn of Africa significance attached to Ethiopia's landmark reconciliation effort.

"The invitation, extended by the Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, recognises the former President’s continued contribution to peacebuilding and inclusive political dialogue across the region. The conference has brought together representatives from diverse sections of Ethiopian society to deliberate on issues of national importance, build common understanding and advance consensus through peaceful political engagement," read a communique from Uhuru's office.

Ethiopia's National Dialogue Conference

The conference, which officially opened on July 15, 2026, represents the culminating phase of a government-backed process that has unfolded over approximately four years.

Nearly 4,000 delegates attended, drawn from regional states, political parties, religious institutions, civil society organisations, youth and women's groups, and the Ethiopian diaspora, following preparatory consultations that reached more than 1,200 districts and communities across the country.

The dialogue was established by the independent Ethiopian National Dialogue Commission, created in late 2021 to lead a nationally owned process addressing Ethiopia's deep political and ethnic divisions, including the fallout from the Tigray war and continuing unrest in the Amhara and Oromia regions.

Discussions were structured around eight thematic pillars covering nation-building, federal governance, the electoral system, the status of federal cities including Addis Ababa, religious affairs, historical grievances, rule of law and human rights, and socio-economic concerns.

As of mid-August 2026, all eight working groups had reached consensus on their recommendations, which are being consolidated into a single document for submission to Ethiopia's House of People's Representatives.

The process has not been without criticism.

Tigray remains largely absent from the dialogue, and opponents have argued the conference proceeded without first establishing broad political trust, particularly following a national election widely seen as consolidating the ruling Prosperity Party's grip on power at the expense of fragmented opposition parties.

"Uhuru's presence at the closing ceremony underscores the wider regional significance of Ethiopia’s national dialogue process, particularly in strengthening peace, stability and cooperation across the Horn of Africa," said the former head of state's office.

Kenyatta's Return to the Regional Stage

Saturday's appearance marks one of Uhuru's first prominent public engagements in a considerable period, drawing renewed attention to the former president at a politically sensitive moment in Kenya.

Ledama Olekina shares glimpse of Obama Presidential Center, says he left with renewed leadership understanding

His successor, President William Ruto, recently accused him of covertly financing opposition efforts aimed at destabilising his administration.

Ruto claimed that progress his government had achieved in areas such as universal health coverage, affordable housing and education funding had motivated Uhuru to back forces working against the current regime, alleging that his predecessor did not want to be surpassed on key development benchmarks.

Uhuru has not publicly responded to those accusations, though his loyalists have charged themselves with defending him.

Source: TUKO.co.ke

Reporting originally appeared via TUKO. Read the full source for additional context.