President William Ruto: [File footage]
President William Ruto could be the first Kenyan President to address the United States Congress following a request by two high-ranking members of the house to House Speaker Mike Johnson to have President Ruto address a joint session during his impending visit to the United States.
Michael McCaul, Chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, filed the request in a joint letter with Gregory Meeks, a Ranking Member of the Committee.
“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,” wrote the members.
If the speaker grants the two their request, President Ruto will also become the first African head of state to address Congress since former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf eighteen years ago.
“It is crucial for members of Congress to understand how Kenya’s active participation in Africa’s future and beyond is vital for peace and stability in the region and aligns with the broader economic and strategic interests of the United States,” reads part of the statement.
This comes hot on the heels of the 60-year anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relationship.
The United States is among Kenya’s largest trading partners, with Kenya boasting a top utilization rate of U.S. market access under the African Growth and Opportunity Act.