DP gets high profile reception as he begins US tour

Deputy President  (DP)William Ruto was accorded a high-profile reception on Sunday as he arrived in the United States for an extensive visit despite troubles with his boss back home.

 Kenya’s ambassador to the US Lazarus Amayo and other senior embassy officials were at the Dulles International Airport to receive the DP as he began his much-publicised tour.  The DP is set to meet senior US government officials and policymakers during his visit that came as the country prepares for the final stretch before the August 9 elections.

 “Arrived safely in Washington, D.C for a series of meetings. We were received by, among others, Kenya’s Ambassador to the United States; Amayo,” the DP posted on his social media accounts.

Ruto has fallen out with President Uhuru Kenyatta following irreconcilable differences and is in rival camps ahead of the polls.

 The DP is accompanied by his wife Rachel, Amani National Congress leader Musalia Mudavadi, Governors Josphat Nanok Turkana, Anne Waiguru (Kirinyaga), Salim Mvurya (Kwale), Head of International Relations at Ruto’s presidential campaign secretariat Ababu Namwamba and a retinue of leaders and advisers.

 During the tour, the DP and Mudavadi will meet officials of the States department and the Pentagon in the US.

A statement released by Namwamba indicated that the DP will meet the US government National Security Council (NSC) Advisor.

“He will also speak at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Centre for Strategic and International Studies. He will also make an address at the University of Arizona’s Washington Entrepreneurship Hub,” read the statement.

The final leg of the US tour will conclude with a meeting with Kenyans living in the country.

In London, Ruto will meet senior UK government officials, visit the National Counter Terrorism Center and speak at both the Commonwealth secretariat and the Royal Institute of International Affairs popularly known as, Chatham House.