Africa (Commonwealth Union) _ Kenya’s President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, on May 20, marking the start of a significant diplomatic visit to the United States. This initial leg in Atlanta precedes a state visit to Washington, D.C.
In Atlanta, President Ruto delivered a speech on governance and democratic values at the Carter Presidential Library and Museum. He emphasized the importance of robust governance structures and the adherence to democratic principles. “I welcome President Ruto’s engagements with civic leaders on issues of democratic governance while in Atlanta, as well as his focus on our people-to-people ties, public health partnerships, educational exchanges, investments in shared prosperity, and his engagements with Atlanta’s African Diaspora,” stated US Secretary of State Antony Blinken.
On May 23, President Ruto will be hosted by US President Joe Biden in Washington, D.C. This visit marks the first state visit by an African leader since Biden took office in 2020. Earlier this year, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre highlighted the visit’s significance in strengthening mutual commitments to peace, security, and democratic values.
The discussions between Ruto and Biden will explore various cooperation avenues, including people-to-people connections, trade and investment, technological innovation, climate action, clean energy, health, and security. This diplomatic engagement underscores the importance of Kenya-US relations, particularly as Kenya remains a key ally in Eastern Africa.
Kenya’s strategic military partnership with the United States is also notable. Last year, Kenya’s Defense Minister Aden Duale and US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a five-year agreement to enhance defense relations amid the ongoing conflict against the al-Qaeda-linked al-Shabab extremist group. Additionally, the US supported a UN Security Council resolution authorizing Kenya to lead a multinational police force in Haiti, highlighting Kenya’s expanding role in global security efforts.
This visit by President Ruto is historic, as it marks the 60th anniversary of US-Kenya diplomatic relations. The significance of this visit is further underscored by Kenya’s status as one of the top 10 countries of origin for Black immigrants to the US, as reported by a Pew Research Centre analysis of the 2019 American Community Survey.
President Biden has previously expressed a commitment to engaging more deeply with sub-Saharan Africa, pledging political and financial commitments at the US-Africa Leaders’ Summit in Washington in 2022. Despite high-ranking US officials visiting various African countries, Biden has yet to visit the continent himself. The visit by President Ruto symbolizes the enduring and evolving partnership between the United States and Kenya, setting the stage for future collaboration and mutual growth.
