In two days, President William Ruto will begin his state visit to the United States, where he is expected to meet leaders from different sectors to strengthen bilateral relations between the nations. However, even before Ruto steps foot in the US, his planned itinerary is causing a storm in Washington.
The visit is part of celebrations of 60 years of diplomatic relations between Kenya and the US. A state visit is the most prestigious trip a foreign leader can be accorded, as it involves a ceremonial welcome and a formal dinner at the White House.
The US government hopes to solidify its status and commitment to invest in Africa, especially at a time when the superpower faces growing competition with its key geopolitical rivals, China and Russia.
Both countries will have a lot of cover throughout the visit including regional diplomacy, trade ties, and climate change.
Major Sources for Kenyan Imports in 2023
Days before his arrival, a contentious issue surrounding Ruto's trip was the invitation to address a joint Congress by the Democrats.
Leaders on State Visits often make a joint address in Congress and it was expected that Ruto would be the sixth foreign leader and first African President to address the current Congress.
So far, the Presidents of Israel, France and South Korea, as well as the Prime Ministers of India and Japan, have made joint addresses in the past, upon the invitation of the Republicans.
House Speaker Mike Johnson (Republican), however, declined the request for Ruto to make the address, raising questions over how the action could affect the relations moving forward.
President Ruto’s visit has elevated the ongoing tiff between Democrats and Republicans to the global stage. The two parties have been in a push-and-pull tangle since President Joe Biden took over power from former President Donald Trump following the contentious 2020 elections.
The bad blood between the two parties has escalated this year, affecting crucial international aid to Ukraine and the United States' key ally in the Middle East, Israel. The partisan strife has also ensnared President Ruto, placing him in a precarious position as the U.S. elections edge ever closer.
What did the Republicans say?
The Republicans backed the statement from the Speaker's office, which offered the reason for declining the lawmakers' request was due to 'scheduling constraints.'
What did the Democrats Say?
On Friday, 14 MPs from the Democratic Party accused the House Speaker of disrespecting Kenya and essentially creating autocratic adversaries between the two nations.
In the letter, they expressed their displeasure and pointed out that the move could jeopardise bilateral relations and pave the way for other global nations to make inroads.
"Foreign adversaries such as China, Russia and Iran are working tirelessly to subvert America's alliances, particularly in Africa," read part of the letter written by Gregory Meeks, Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
Since 1980, US Presidents have enjoyed controlling both the House of Representatives and the Senate along with the executive branch, providing efficient management and handling of government operations.
President Joe Biden's Democratic Party lacks majority control in the House of Representatives with 212 seats as compared to Republicans' 222 seats. The Democratic caucus, however, controls the Senate with 51 seats as opposed to Republican's 49.
What This Means
Ahead of the US election slated for November 4, 2024, Biden will be seeking to reignite the US-Africa relations, which frayed during the Trump administration.
Critics argue that Biden's Democratic party embraces President Ruto's policies and seeks to leverage his influence as a show of might and unity with African leaders.
The timelines of the State visit months before the election seem to favour the argument but, all eyes will be on the talking points between the two Heads of State.
