- US Congress members ask Speaker Mike Johnson to invite President Ruto to address the assembly.
- President Ruto will be visiting the US on May 23 to mark 60 years of US-Kenya diplomatic ties.
- If invited, President Ruto would become the first Kenyan Head of State to address a joint session of US Congress.
In a historic plan highlighting the deepening ties between the United States and Kenya, House Foreign Affairs Committee chairman Michael McCaul (Republican – Texas) and Ranking Member Gregory Meeks (Democrat – New York) have jointly sent a letter to Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (Republican – Los Angeles, asking him to extend a formal invitation to President William Ruto of Kenya to address a joint session of Congress during his upcoming visit to the US, slated later in May.
“This year, we are celebrating the historic 60-year anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relationship. Such an invitation would underscore the importance of the U.S.-Kenya relationship and send a valuable signal to the people of Africa,” the members noted.
“We therefore respectfully request that, at your earliest convenience, you invite President William Samoei Ruto to address a joint session of Congress when he is in the United States on or about May 23, 2024.”
President Ruto visiting Washington in May to mark 60 years of US-Kenya diplomatic ties
The significance of this invitation cannot be overstated. President Ruto, if invited, would become the first Kenyan head of state to address a joint session of Congress. Moreover, he would mark the first African head of state to do so since former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf’s address 18 years ago.
Such an invitation would not only underscore the strength of the US-Kenya relationship but also a powerful signal of solidarity to the people of Africa. As the two nations commemorate the 60th anniversary of the nation’s diplomatic ties, this gesture holds immense symbolic value.
The US-Kenya relationship has been steadily deepening, encompassing various facets of political, economic, technological, and cultural cooperation. Kenya stands as one of Africa’s most dynamic economies, boasting an impressive utilization rate of US market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Additionally, the US counts Kenya among its largest trading partners. The presence of nearly 100,000 Kenyan-Americans further strengthens the bond between the two nations.
Additionally, the US-Kenya strategic partnership extends to security cooperation, with Washington maintaining an overseas military base at Manda Bay on the Indian Ocean to combat terrorist threats from Al-Shabaab.
In recent years, Kenya has played a crucial role in helping stabilize East Africa and beyond, confronting persistent security challenges while positioning itself as an attractive destination for American investment, poised to catalyze economic growth across the continent.
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Why President Ruto’s speech in US Congress is significant
It is given this relationship that members of the US Congress seek to grasp the strategic significance of Kenya’s active engagement in shaping the future of Africa. The potential address by President Ruto comes at a time when the Biden administration has signalled a renewed focus on Africa.
First Lady Jill Biden’s visit to Kenya last February, as part of a broader tour of the continent, underscored the administration’s commitment to strengthening ties with African nations. Additionally, the White House has confirmed plans to honour both President Ruto and Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto with a dinner, further amplifying the importance of bilateral relations.
President Biden’s earlier commitment to visit sub-Saharan Africa, announced in December 2022, reflects a broader shift towards prioritizing the continent in US foreign policy amid increasing onslaught from China and Russia.
In February, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre announced that President Ruto’s May 23 visit will mark the 60th anniversary of US-Kenya diplomatic relations and “celebrate a partnership that is delivering for the people” of both countries while affirming “our strategic partnership” with Kenya.
Areas of US-Kenya partnerships
It “will strengthen our shared commitment to advance peace and security, expand our economic ties, and stand together in defence of democratic values,” Jean-Pierre added in a statement.
“The leaders will discuss ways to bolster our cooperation in areas including people-to-people ties, trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health, and security.”
President Ruto’s visit to the White House comes at a time when the plan to send a contingent of police officers led by Kenya to crisis-saddled Haiti hangs in the balance. In March, top Kenyan security officials announced that the plan to send over 1000 police officers to Haiti to tackle gang violence is still on course. The plan was momentarily shelved following the resignation of former Haiti PM Ariel Henry.
