President William Ruto could make history in the United States if a request by Michael McCaul, a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee to have him invited to address a joint Congress sitting is approved.
In a letter dated April 30, McMcaul wrote to House Speaker Mike Johnson requesting him to extend a formal invitation to Ruto ahead of his planned State Visit to the US.
“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,” wrote the member, in a letter also signed by Gregory Meeks, another high-ranking member.
According to the duo, Ruto’s address, if approved, would make him the first-ever Kenyan President to address a joint Congress session and first East African President to do so in history.
In addition, an invitation by the House Speaker would make Ruto the first African President to address the US law making body since President Ellen Johnson of Liberia eighteen years ago.
In their letter, Mr McCaul and Meeks noted that an invitation to President Ruto could come at an opportune time when the US is celebrating 60 years of the US-Kenya diplomatic ties.
Why McCaul is pushing for Ruto’s address
According to them, such an invitation would underscore the importance of the US-Kenya relationship and send a valuable signal to the people of Africa.
“This year, we are celebrating the historic 60-year anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relationship.
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 signed by the two ranking members.
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Further in his statement, Mr McCaul cited Kenya’s active role in matters pertaining regional peace and stability to justify his request to have Ruto invited for an address.
According to him, Kenya has proven to be a leader in matters economy in the region and has continued to show prospects of defining the history of Africa and beyond.
As such, he argued that an opportunity to address the Congress would help members understand how Kenya’s active participation in Africa’s future and beyond is vital for peace and stability in the region and aligns with the broader economic and strategic interests of the United States.
“We therefore respectfully request that, at your earliest convenience, you invite President William Samoei Ruto to address a joint session of Congress when he is in the United States on or about May 23, 2024.”
Also Read: State Vs Official Visit: Hussein Mohamed Under Fire Over Ruto’s Visit to Japan
Ruto invited for State Visit to the US
President Ruto is expected to travel to Washington later in the month for a State Visit after an invitation from President Joe Biden.
In a statement on February 16, 2024, the White House announced that Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will host President Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto for a State Visit to the United States on May 23, 2024.
The visit, White House noted, will mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations and will celebrate a partnership that is delivering for the people of the United States and Kenya.
The visit is expected to provide a forum for the discussion of matters including peace and security and ways of expanding economic ties. In addition, the visit will come at a time both nations have stepped up cooperation in security and Defense including the expected police deployment in Haiti.
A state visit is the highest form of Diplomatic exchange between two countries and signifies strong diplomatic ties.
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