President William Ruto is poised to make history during his upcoming visit to the United States after the Foreign Affairs Committee formally requested Speaker of the House Mike Johnson to extend an invitation for President Ruto to address a joint session of Congress later this month.
In a letter dated 30 April, 2024, the Committee respectfully urged Speaker Johnson to invite President Ruto to address Congress during his official visit. The invitation aims to underscore the significance of Kenya-US relations, emphasizing Kenya’s pivotal role as one of Africa’s most dynamic economies and a key trading partner with the United States under the African Growth and Opportunity Act (#AGOA).
Foreign Affairs Committee Ranking Member Gregory W. Meeks and Chairman Michael McCaul highlighted the importance of understanding Kenya’s active engagement in shaping Africa’s future and its alignment with broader US economic and strategic interests.
If invited, President Ruto would become the first Kenyan head of state to address a joint session of Congress and the first African head of state to do so in nearly two decades. President Ruto’s visit to the US follows an invitation extended by President Joe Biden in February to commemorate the 60th anniversary of US-Kenya diplomatic relations. Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre confirmed that President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto for a State Visit on 23 May, 2024.
