A state visit is considered the highest level of international visit that confirms a good relationship between two nations.
Thus, it takes great planning to accommodate cultural differences and ensure world leaders and their guests have the best experience during the visit.
For President Ruto and First Lady Rachel, the much-anticipated state visit marked 60 years of bilateral relations between the US and Kenya.
Hence to commemorate this historic event, meticulous planning is done to understand the environment that the leaders will be in during the visit.
The visiting leaders will also adhere to certain protocols as depicted in the protocol for state visits.
Ceremony of the South Lawn
Upon their arrival in Maryland on Wednesday, May 22, Ruto and the First Lady received a warm welcome from the First Lady of the United States Jill Biden.
The visiting leaders were then transported to the South Lawn of the White House to meet US President Joe Biden. It is the norm for visiting heads of state to greet the president in their native language.
The South Lawn initially began as a garden set aside by former President George Washington. The 85-acre piece of land was, however, transformed during former President Thomas Jefferson's era and began hosting key functions including state visits in the 1940s.
During the entire visit, Ruto is accompanied by military footsoldiers before reaching the welcoming committee where he and Biden take the stage together.
National Anthem
During the official arrival ceremony, national anthems of Kenya and the US are played. During the state visit, the visitor's national anthem is played first before a 21-gun salute is performed.
No clapping is allowed after the anthems play.
Biden and Ruto will also walk the South Lawn to inspect the troops in a ceremony intended to invoke a combination of diplomacy and elegance.
Blair House
This serves as Ruto's guest house during his stay. It has served as the president's official guest residence since it was purchased in 1942. It has hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping and Queen Elizabeth II.
Currently, the Blair House complex consists of 109 rooms including 15 guest rooms, three dining rooms, two conference rooms, a hot and cold kitchen, and an exercise room among other facilities.
State Dinner
The formal State Dinner is regarded as a black tie event whereby the men are expected to wear black tie and the women wear floor-length gowns.
The dress protocols of the First Lady during these events have changed over time as they normally depict the official style of the presidential administration.
The state dinner will be held on Thursday evening.
Gift Exchanges
It has been an art form signifying cultural bond and relationship between two countries. Both leaders will gift one another as a sign of unity and partnership.
According to protocol, Both Biden and Ruto's gifts must be of unique quality and portable to allow for ease of travel.
In the case of the host leader, gifting the same gift to two visiting leaders during different state visits is considered disrespectful.
Additionally, the gift should not be too personal such as clothing, or jewelry.
The colour of the gift and its wrapping is also of great significance as they should not be in a colour that is too similar to the national flag of each country.
