On Thursday, President William Ruto is scheduled to meet with former US President Barack Obama ahead of an official state reception hosted by President Joe Biden at the White House.
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, has strong ties to Kenya, being the son of a Kenyan father. Obama has previously visited Kenya, both as a US Senator and as President. His last visit was in July 2018, after his presidency ended following Donald Trump’s election victory over Hillary Clinton.
President Ruto’s US visit began on Wednesday with an initial meeting at the White House, where he was received by President Joe Biden. During this visit, Biden hosted a roundtable on technology with Ruto, and they discussed various bilateral and multilateral issues.
As part of his visit, Ruto and First Lady Mama Rachel paid tribute at Arlington National Cemetery by laying a wreath. This act honored the sacrifices of American soldiers and notable historical figures such as Thurgood Marshall and John F. Kennedy, both of whom have had a significant impact on Kenya’s history.
On Thursday, Biden and Ruto, along with their delegations, will further engage in discussions focused on the Kenya-US partnership in economic, health, and security matters. They will also address regional developments in Africa.
Later in the day, President Ruto is set to deliver a keynote speech at the Smithsonian on shared climate solutions. His speech will address global environmental challenges and the collaborative efforts needed to tackle them.
The day’s events will conclude with a state dinner at the White House, marking a significant moment in strengthening Kenya-US relations.
