President Joe Biden welcomed Kenyan President William Ruto with full military honors during an elaborate arrival ceremony that marks the beginning of the first state visit by an African leader since 2008.
Ruto, 57, leads a democracy in East Africa that is characterized by its stability in a region torn by civil war, militias and pitched battles over resources.
The president will ask Congress to give Kenya a special “major non-NATO ally” designation of the United States, in the latest effort to keep the regional power close and demonstrate to other nations some of the benefits of American cooperation. .
It is the first sub-Saharan nation to achieve this.
‘Kenya and the United States are also united against the terror of ISIS and al-Shabaab… which they continue to perpetrate in East Africa. The aggression that Russia is inflicting on Ukraine. The violence that has brought down too many democracies in our two regions… The past is our proof that we are stronger and the world is safer when Kenya and the United States work together.”
“Democracy is obviously on the defensive globally and we see Kenya as an important and stable democracy in East Africa,” a senior administration official said before the visit.
The new status is aimed at “elevating and really recognizing that Kenya is already a global partner of ours,” a senior administration official told reporters.
Kenyan First Lady Rachel Ruto, Kenyan President William Ruto, along with US President Joe Biden and US First Lady Jill Biden attended the arrival ceremony. “Violence toppled too many democracies in both of our regions,” Biden said, as she prepares to brief Congress on a new ally status for the East African country.
Biden spoke about the day Kenya gained independence 60 years ago, reading from printed comments.
“This new democracy is endearing and lasting,” he said.
US forces have spent years fighting ISIS forces and al-Shabaab continues its insurgency in neighboring Somalia.
‘This is the first state visit by an African head of state in almost 20 years. “It’s long overdue,” White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan told reporters before Thursday’s events.
The visit marks 60 years of a partnership between the United States and Kenya “based on shared values, deep cooperation and a common vision for the future,” according to a White House fact sheet.
The big event scheduled is a lavish state dinner for 500 people inside a huge tent on the south lawn. Former President Barack Obama, who has Kenyan roots, is not expected to attend, but this election year a group of bold names and deep-pocketed donors are expected.
Business is also on the table. Kenya’s highways authority announced an agreement with the US firm Everstrong Capital for the construction of a highway worth $3.6 billion linking the capital of Nairobi with Mombasa.
“The project is expected to attract investments totaling $3.6 billion from international investors, development agencies, pension funds and an exceptionally large number of Kenyan private investors,” Everstrong said in a statement.
Biden approached a podium to speak before recovering and waiting for a military honor guard.
The White House filled the South Lawn with visitors for the event.
First lady Jill Biden held the president’s hand after his remarks
Ruto was received with military honors in a visit that highlights the importance of the democratic ally in a region full of conflicts
The ceremony featured military bands and a corps of fifes and drums.
White House and National Park Service staff prepare for Kenyan President William Ruto’s official arrival ceremony on the South Lawn.
Biden promised on December 22 to visit Africa next year, but that has not happened.
Sullivan doesn’t look at an exact time period. “He intends to do so as president of the United States,” he said Wednesday.
Ruto is considered a ‘international operator,’ and Kenyan troops are prepared to lead an international peacekeeping effort designed to bring some stability to Haiti.
The morning ceremony was attended by Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Blinken, Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and other senior officials.
Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto arrived in a black van. The Bidens greeted them and first lady Jill Biden pointed out to her counterpart where she should stand.
The group then greeted Vice President Harris and other officials from both governments.
At one point, after seeing American troops gathered with Ruto, Biden approached the lectern as if to speak, then corrected himself and waited for a group of fifes and drummers to perform.
Ruto began his speech with a greeting in Swahili. “Jambo,” he said. He called Kenya a “proud democratic nation and mentioned the challenges of climate change and “debt distress.”