President Biden will welcome the Kenyan president for a state visit this spring to mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations and discuss economic ties and democratic values, the White House said Friday.
Mr. Biden and first lady Jill Biden will host President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto on May 23.
“The visit will strengthen our shared commitment to advance peace and security, expand our economic ties, and stand together in defense of democratic values,” White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre said. “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.”
Kenya, a nation of 53 million people, is located in East Africa with a coastline on the Indian Ocean. The U.S. considers it a key partner in fast-growing Africa.
“Africa is growing rapidly and presents enormous opportunities for U.S. commercial and economic interests. It is undergoing a transformative change toward greater regional integration, has among the highest growth rates globally, and will account for nearly a fifth of the world’s consumers by 2030,” according to a fact sheet from the U.S. Office of the United States Trade Representative.
State visits typically include pomp and circumstance at the White House and a glitzy dinner.
Mr. Biden has hosted French leader Emmanuel Macron and Indo-Pacific partners from Australia, India and South Korea.
Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will visit in April.
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.