Ruto to address Congress on White House invitation

President William Ruto’s invitation to address a joint session of the Congress in the United States has been described as a historic honour and a defining moment for Kenya and the African continent.

Political analysts in the country told People Daily yesterday that the move will potentially provide Ruto with a new podium to articulate his ideals for Kenya and the continent at large.

In a letter, the US House Committee on Foreign Affairs led by its chairman Michael McGaul and Ranking Member Gregory W Meeks formally requested Speaker Mike Johnson to invite Ruto to address the congress, a request that if agreed to, will tally with his upcoming State visit to Washington later this month.

“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,” the letter dated April 30, 2024 read in sections.

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 18 years ago. Johnson used the occasion to tell of her country’s rise from the risk of deadly civil war then.

“Such invitation would underscore the importance of the US-Kenya relationship and send a valuable signal to the people of Africa,” the letter further read.

Diplomatic relations

President Ruto’s State  visit set for May 23 will mark the 60th anniversary of US-Kenya diplomatic relations and “celebrate a partnership that is delivering for the people” of both countries while affirming “our strategic partnership” with Ruto’s country.

During the visit, President Joe Biden plans to is expected to  welcome Ruto to the White House  hosting a state visit after reneging on his promise to visit Africa last year.

According to White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, President Ruto’s visit would “will strengthen our shared commitment to advance peace and security, expand our economic ties, and stand together in defense of democratic values.”

“The leaders will discuss ways to bolster our cooperation in areas including people-to-people ties, trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health, and security,”Jean-Pierre had earlier told  journalists.

Governance expert and political analyst Javas Bigambo yesterday told People Daily that Ruto’s prioritization and framing of issues to do with climate change…..loss and damage, and the urgency to redefine the West’s relations with Africa have altogether set him apart as a crusading Pan-Africanist whose soaring rhetoric sets him  as a bold and focused leader.

“Upon his swearing into office, President Ruto burst onto the continental and global stage with the vicious energy of a Bison. Stardom now awaits him. The President’s shoulders being broad and strong, he can ably speak for Africa, to wit, the terrain of democracy and governance, war, unfair trade barriers, and if courage throws its arms around him, navigate that slippery and sensitive subject of LGBTQI,” said Bigambo.

He stated that since Ruto has been highly recognised by Congress far more than his predecessors such as the Daniel arap Moi, Mwai  Kibaki and Uhuru Kenyatta, the President should press the acceleration pad to heighten Kenya’s ties with America and seek enhancement of military support and partnership, more security ties to counter terrorism, money laundering and the fight against corruption.

“Further, given Kenya’s significance in geopolitics, the issues of war in Sudan, South Sudan and DRC, Kenya through Ruto can cement her regional leadership. Beyond soaring rhetoric for soundbites, I trust the ideologues at State House and dweebs can craft a fine and historic speech that can ignite Afrocentric discourse from the commanding heights of Congress. His speech will be crucial,” added the political analyst.