NAIROBI, May 20 (NNN-KBC) — Kenyan President William Ruto left the country Sunday evening for the United States of America on a four-day State Visit.
This visit is a historic milestone as the first state visit by a Kenyan Head of State in two decades and the first by an African head of state since 2008.
State House Spokesperson Hussein Mohamed said the visit demonstrates the robust partnership between Kenya and the United States, and is a fitting tribute to 60 years of diplomatic ties.
“During this period, Kenya and the United States of America have enjoyed deepening and mutually beneficial cooperation at bilateral and multilateral levels, resulting in the elevation of the relationship in 2018 to a Strategic Partnership,” said Mohamed.
This Strategic partnership, Mohamed said, establishes a structure for continued inter-state Kenya-US Bilateral Strategic Dialogue, anchored on five main themes
The themes include; Economic Prosperity, Trade, and Investment; Defense Cooperation; Democracy, Governance, and Civilian Security; Multilateral and Regional Issues; and Health Cooperation.
“It is in the context of pursuing tangible outcomes in each of these critical result areas that accelerated cooperation has led to the gracious invitation of President Ruto by his counterpart, President Joe Biden Jr., President of the United States of America,”
The visit is themed “partnership for prosperity” and aims to bolster shared commitments to economic growth, democratic values, peace and security, and reflects the strategic importance of Kenya to the US as a leading regional anchor and the main commercial gateway to Eastern Africa.
The thematic areas of focus include; shared values including democratic governance, security cooperation for peace, security, and sustainable development; trade & Investment for shared prosperity; Digital technology cooperation, delivers innovation, progress, and inclusion.
Mohamed said Kenya and the United States of America share a strong bond of friendship, evidenced by the exchange of high-level visits between the two countries.
While in the US, President Ruto will be attending a number of meetings.
President and the First Lady will be officially received with full ceremonial state honours at Washington, D.C., on the morning of Wednesday.
On Thursday Ruto will hold the main bilateral meetings with his host President Biden, and delve deeper into Kenya-US Economic, health, and security partnership, and discuss regional developments on the continent highlighting the fragilities and opportunities on the continent.
On Friday, at Washington, D.C, the visit concludes with strategic engagements focusing on trade, investment, and digital cooperation, including; a breakfast meeting at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce where President Ruto will make the case for Kenya as a prime destination for U.S. investments. — NNN-KBC
