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It was the sixth and largest state dinner thrown by Biden as his administration tries to rebuild ties with African businesses and governments. Ruto is on a three-day state visit to the US that comes as Kenya prepares to deploy troops to Haiti, part of a United Nations-led effort to try quell gang violence there.
United States President Joe Biden and his wife Jill honoured visiting Kenyan President William Ruto at a glittering state dinner at the White House on Thursday. The hundreds of guests were treated to stunning views of Washington and a knockout menu. Celebrities, who attended the function included actor LeVar Burton of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” fame, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and former President Bill Clinton. Barack Obama, popped into the dining pavilion early in the evening but did not stay for the dinner, which prompted Ruto to tell jokingly that many members of the African diaspora attended the function and one just left, Barack.
It was the sixth and largest state dinner thrown by Biden as his administration tries to rebuild ties with African businesses and governments. Ruto is on a three-day state visit to the US that comes as Kenya prepares to deploy troops to Haiti, part of a United Nations-led effort to try quell gang violence there.
US President Joe Biden hailed William Ruto’s leadership on Thursday, congratulating him on his intervention in politically unstable Haiti. President Ruto’s presence at the White House marks the first state visit to the United States by an African leader in more than 15 years.
Biden failed to keep a promise to visit Africa last year, but this week told Ruto he intended to visit the continent “in February after I’m re-elected” — a show of optimism about his prospects in November’s election.
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https://trendsnafrica.com/kenyan-president-ruto-in-us-for-state-visit-to-hold-parleys-with-biden/
The 1,000 Kenyan officers preparing to deploy to Haiti will be part of a multinational force backed by USD 300 million in U.S. support, but not American troops. The Biden administration has praised Kenya for stepping up in Haiti when so few other countries have agreed to do so. Haiti is the Western Hemisphere’s poorest nation and has been mired in political instability and natural disasters for decades. The Haiti mission will also include support from the Bahamas, Barbados, Benin, Chad, and Bangladesh.
