During a press conference, President William Ruto of Kenya expressed his sincere gratitude to President Biden and the American people for the warm welcome and hospitality extended during his visit to the United States. The visit marks 60 years of bilateral relations between the two countries, rooted in shared values of democracy, rule of law, equality, and inclusivity.
President Ruto highlighted the importance of democracy and the need for the U.S. to work with Kenya and other like-minded democratic countries to uphold democratic values globally. He emphasized the challenges facing many African countries, including Kenya, such as extreme climate events, debt distress, and geopolitical disruptions, which divert resources from economic growth and development.
President Ruto called for a comprehensive debt resolution framework, urging the U.S. to increase its support for African integration and peace and security initiatives. He also emphasized the need for green industrialization and sustainable growth through partnerships like the Africa Growth and Opportunities Act.
The discussions between President Ruto and President Biden focused on regional peace and security in the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region, with a commitment to innovative defense and security frameworks. They also pledged mutual support for stabilizing Haiti through a multinational security mission.
The newly established Kenya-U.S. climate and clean energy industrial partnership was highlighted as a significant milestone in promoting green growth and leveraging U.S. technology and investment in Africa's resource potential.
President Ruto expressed confidence in the partnership with the U.S., commending President Biden's commitment to spreading freedom, democracy, security, and prosperity worldwide. He concluded by affirming the strong and committed friendship between Kenya, Africa, and the United States.
