A formal request has been made to the Speaker of the US House of Representatives, Mike Johnson, for President William Ruto to address Congress during his official visit Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the last African head of state to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks and Michael McCaul, urged Johnson to extend an invitation to Ruto to address a joint session of Congress This, they said, highlights the significance of Kenya ahead of the historic 60-year anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya diplomatic ties
US President Joe Biden extended an invitation to Ruto for a state visit, with the meeting between the two leaders set for Thursday, May 23. In a letter dated Tuesday, April 30, House Foreign Affairs Committee Member Gregory Meeks and Committee Chairman Michael McCaul asked Johnson to have Ruto address a joint session of Congress.
“We are writing to respectfully request that you extend a formal invitation to the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency William Samoei Ruto, to address a joint session of Congress on his official visit to the United States.
If invited, President Ruto would be the first Kenyan head of state to address a joint session of Congress and the first African head of state to address Congress since former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf eighteen years ago.
Such an invitation would underscore the importance of the U.S.-Kenya relationship and send a valuable signal to the people of Africa,” read the letter in part.
RM @RepGregoryMeeks, CM @RepMcCaul sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson requesting a formal invitation to the President of the Republic of Kenya, His Excellency William Samoei Ruto, to address a joint session of Congress on his official visit to the US. pic.twitter.com/XHKGhVDIu6
— House Foreign Affairs Committee Dems (@HouseForeign) May 1, 2024
The two lawmakers further pointed out that US -Kenya relations continue to deepen due to strong political, economic, technological, and cultural ties. “This year, we are celebrating the historic 60-year anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relationship.
Kenya has the largest, most diversified economy and a young and growing population. It also has a young, ambitious, and well-educated workforce eager to contribute to the development of the country. These factors have helped the country become a leader in mobile money and information and communication technology,” continued the letter.
Ruto holds phone talk with Biden
In October 2023, Ruto finally spoke with Biden after failing to engage him during the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York. The head of state said they are particularly keen on partnerships in infrastructure, renewable energy, green manufacturing and empowering Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), which he termed a key engine in their economic growth.
