Biden and Kenyan President’s State Visit Scheduled for May
President Joe Biden is set to welcome Kenyan President William Ruto to the White House in May, marking a state visit after postponing his earlier promise to visit Africa last year. The visit, scheduled for May 23, will commemorate the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations and celebrate the partnership between the two countries. White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the visit aims to strengthen the commitment to peace, security, economic ties, and democratic values.
The meeting will address various cooperation areas, including people-to-people ties, trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health, and security. Notably, the visit follows recent developments where Haiti announced working on an official agreement with Kenyan officials to deploy Kenyan police forces to Haiti. Officials from both countries met in the U.S. to draft a memorandum of understanding.
The White House confirmed that President Ruto and Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto will be honored with a dinner during the visit. This comes after President Biden hosted a state dinner for Australia last October. Biden had initially pledged to visit sub-Saharan Africa in 2023, emphasizing the continent’s strategic importance during a U.S.-Africa Leaders Summit. However, other priorities, including trips to Israel, Vietnam, and Ukraine, led to the postponement of the Africa visit.
As President Biden seeks reelection and addresses pressing foreign security matters, Vice President Kamala Harris spoke at the Munich Security Conference about the U.S. relationship with Africa. She emphasized the need for a partnership and investment mindset, acknowledging Africa’s growing population and global impact. Harris highlighted the importance of collaboration with African leaders and nations for mutual benefit.
In summary, President Biden’s upcoming meeting with Kenyan President Ruto signifies a commitment to strengthening ties between the U.S. and Kenya, addressing various global priorities, and recognizing Africa’s strategic importance in the evolving geopolitical landscape.
