Ruto faces scrutiny amid concerns on 'undermined' country's sovereignty

French President Emmanuel Macron and President William Ruto at the AFrica forward Le concert at Kasarani indoor arena in Nairobi. [David Gichuru, Standard]

President William Ruto rolled out the red carpet for President Emmanuel Macron this week in Nairobi, hosting a summit that France described as a turning point in its engagement with Africa even as critics questioned whether Kenya’s warm welcome signals “selective solidarity” toward a European nation whose role has been rejected elsewhere. 

The “Africa Forward” summit, the first French-led event held in an English-speaking country, brought Macron to a stage where France’s influence has narrowed sharply following political turmoil and ruptures across parts of West Africa and the Sahel, analysts said.