On May 23, 2024, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a state dinner at the White House for Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife, Rachel Ruto. This event marked the first state visit by an African leader since 2008. Held in a transparent pavilion on the South Lawn, the dinner featured a guest list of over 450 prominent figures, including former President Bill Clinton, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, LeVar Burton, Roger Goodell, and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver.

The evening included entertainment by country star Brad Paisley and the Howard Gospel Choir. Guests enjoyed a three-course meal featuring chilled heirloom tomato soup, butter-poached lobster, smoked beef short ribs, and a white chocolate basket for dessert. The pavilion was adorned with over 1,000 candles, sequined tablecloths, and floral centerpieces consisting of American roses and African orchids.

The celebration emphasized the strong alliance between the United States and Kenya, as the two nations discussed various topics including economic cooperation, debt relief, and the East African nation’s role in international peacekeeping.