President William Ruto is set to embark on a historic state visit to the United States, marking the first such visit by a Kenyan Head of State in two decades and the first by an African leader since 2008. The visit aims to bolster the robust partnership between Kenya and the U.S., celebrating 60 years of diplomatic ties.
Here is President Ruto’s full itinerary;
Day 1: Monday, May 20 – Atlanta, Georgia
– Visit to the Carter Presidential Library and Museum, emphasizing shared commitment to governance, democratic values, and anti-corruption efforts.
– Visit to Ebenezer Baptist Church, paying homage to the Civil Rights struggle and the role of religion as a force for good.
– Engagement at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) headquarters, with announcements on the new CDC-KEMRI partnership.
– Meeting with the Kenyan diaspora in Atlanta, recognizing their role in national transformation.
Day 2: Tuesday, May 21 – Atlanta, Georgia
– Visit to Spelman College, discussing the role of higher education, science, and technology in enhancing Kenya’s human capital development.
– Visit to Tyler Perry Studios, exploring opportunities in the creative economy.
– Visit to Coca-Cola, with announcements on new investment partnerships.
– Launch of VIVO’s inaugural store in America, showcasing Kenyan women entrepreneurs.
– Meeting with Mayor Andre Dickens and the Atlanta CEO’s Council, positioning Kenya as a regional manufacturing hub.
Day 3: Wednesday, May 22 – Washington, D.C.
– Official arrival at Andrews Air Force Base with full ceremonial state honors.
– Extensive engagements on Capitol Hill, including meetings with Congressional leaders, the Black Congressional Caucus, and the Bipartisan Caucus of the Senate.
– Discussions on challenges faced by democracies on the continent and the need for U.S. engagement, as well as the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA).
Day 4: Thursday, May 23 – Washington, D.C.
– Wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery, honoring American soldiers and historic figures.
– Bilateral meetings with President Joe Biden, delving into the Kenya-U.S. economic, health, and security partnership, and discussing regional developments on the continent.
– Joint press briefing with President Biden at the White House.
– Keynote speech on shared climate solutions at the Smithsonian Institution.
– State dinner at the White House, celebrating the enduring friendship between Kenya and the U.S.
Day 5: Friday, May 24 – Washington, D.C.
– Breakfast at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, promoting Kenya as a prime destination for U.S. investments.
– Digital Roundtable discussion hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris, exploring the potential for expanding the U.S.-Kenya digital partnership.
– Visit to the Pentagon, highlighting the Kenya-U.S. defense partnership in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and cyber security.
The visit will cover a range of areas, including economic prosperity through trade and investment, defense cooperation, democracy and governance, multilateral and regional issues, and health cooperation. Key themes will be shared values, security cooperation, trade and investment, and digital technology cooperation.
