On May 23, 2024, Kenyan President William Ruto was officially welcomed to Washington, D.C., for a significant state visit, marking the first such visit by an African leader to the United States in over 15 years. The ceremony, held on the South Lawn of the White House, was hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden and attended by Ruto and his wife, Rachel Ruto. This visit was symbolic of the strengthening U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations, with Biden announcing Kenya’s designation as a major non-NATO ally, the first such designation for a sub-Saharan African country.

The state visit highlighted the collaborative efforts between the U.S. and Kenya on various fronts, including economic development, cybersecurity, and climate security. President Biden praised Kenya’s leadership, particularly its efforts in the “African green industrialization initiative.” As part of the visit, Biden and Ruto proposed the “Nairobi-Washington Vision,” aiming to ease the debt burden on developing countries and foster more sustainable financing alternatives compared to those provided by China.

Kenya’s economic challenges and substantial debt, primarily stemming from Chinese loans, were central topics. Ruto has sought financial support from both China and Western nations, signaling Kenya’s strategic balancing act. The U.S. administration’s objective is to counter China’s influence in Africa by providing more favorable investment and loan opportunities.

The visit also spotlighted the security partnership between the two countries. Kenya plans to deploy 1,000 officers to Haiti to help address gang violence, a mission backed but not directly manned by U.S. troops. Additionally, Kenya has been a key partner in combating regional militant threats and stabilizing the Red Sea.

This visit reinforced the longstanding U.S.-Kenya relationship while positioning Kenya as a pivotal ally in the U.S.’s strategic engagement in Africa.