President William Ruto has hailed Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after her administration became the longest-serving government in the history of the Italian Republic, saying the achievement showed the level of trust placed in her leadership and reaffirming Kenya’s desire to further strengthen ties with Italy.
Ruto conveyed his congratulations in a letter dated September 7, 2026, sent to Meloni on behalf of the people of Kenya and his government.
He described the record as a sign of confidence in Meloni and her efforts to advance Italy’s development.
The President also used the occasion to highlight the growing relationship between Nairobi and Rome, particularly in trade, investment and development.
Ruto recalled his official visit to Italy in April 2026, saying the engagement had helped give fresh energy to relations between the two countries.
During the visit, Kenya and Italy agreed on a 2026-2029 action plan and entered into cooperation agreements in several fields.
The areas covered included justice, defence, agriculture, infrastructure and vocational training.
The two governments also explored investment opportunities and discussed projects being undertaken in Kenya by Italian companies.
Ruto said Kenya values the "longstanding bonds of friendship and the growing partnership" between the two nations.
He said the relationship is built on mutual respect, shared values and common interests, adding that cooperation between the two countries has continued to widen.
According to the President, the partnership now covers trade and investment, development cooperation as well as people-to-people ties.
He reaffirmed his administration’s willingness to work with Meloni in taking the relationship between Kenya and Italy to a higher level.
Ruto further said Nairobi was committed to strengthening cooperation with Rome through both bilateral and multilateral engagements.
He said the continued partnership should create gains for citizens in both countries and promote "mutual benefit and shared prosperity" for Kenyans and Italians.
Meloni’s administration entered the history books on September 4, 2026, when it completed 1,413 straight days in power.
The achievement pushed her government past the previous record set by Silvio Berlusconi’s second administration, which remained in office between 2001 and 2005.
Meloni assumed office on October 22, 2022, becoming the first woman to serve as Italy’s prime minister.
She came to power at the head of a right-wing coalition, which has since remained in office long enough to surpass the record set by Berlusconi’s government.
The achievement is notable given Italy’s political history since it became a republic in 1946.
The country has had 68 governments during that period, with many administrations lasting for considerably shorter periods.
Meloni’s government has therefore achieved an unusual level of continuity in a political system that has seen frequent changes of administration.
The new record marks an important point in Meloni’s tenure as her government continues to run the country.
Focus on Kenya-Italy cooperation
Ruto’s congratulatory message also brought attention to the expanding cooperation between Kenya and Italy.
The President pointed to his April visit as one of the key engagements that helped open further discussions on economic and development matters between Nairobi and Rome.
The action plan covering 2026 to 2029 and the agreements signed during the visit set out areas for continued cooperation, including justice, defence, agriculture, infrastructure and vocational training.
Investment was also part of the discussions, with the two countries looking at opportunities and projects involving Italian companies operating in Kenya.
Ruto said his government would continue working with Meloni to build on the progress already made.
He reaffirmed Kenya’s intention to expand cooperation in areas of shared interest while strengthening relations at both bilateral and multilateral levels.
The President said the ties between Kenya and Italy should continue to grow in a way that benefits citizens in both countries.