President William Ruto on Thursday met with US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken in a high-level meeting that reviewed the strategic partnership between Kenya and the United States at a time when the two countries are working closely together to achieve shared geopolitical objectives.
According to a statement issued by US Department of State Spokesperson Matthew Miller, the meeting also delved into collaboration on shared priorities. Blinken thanked Ruto for Kenya's leadership of the Multinational Security Support mission to Haiti.
The American Minister also commended President William Ruto for playing an active role in ensuring Kenya promotes regional peace and security in Africa.
" I just want to again thank you for Kenya’s remarkable leadership of the Multinational Security Support mission in Haiti. I was in Haiti a couple of weeks ago and saw for myself Kenya’s leadership on the ground."
"But there and in so many other regional challenges in Africa, Kenya is playing an absolutely essential leadership role." Blinken said.
Blinken emphasized the shared values between the US and Kenya including the implementation of the public anti-graft and police accountability commitments President Ruto undertook in response to recent protests.
The US Secretary of State affirmed his country's ongoing commitment to strengthening the ties between Kenya and the United States.
Speaking at the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on Thursday, President William Ruto reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to international peace and ensuring the Haiti mission succeeds.
President Ruto revealed that Kenya is on track to increase the number of police deployed in Haiti to 2,500 by January 2025.
Ruto flew to Haiti on Saturday September 21 to assess the mission's progress. While meeting officers combating gangs in the Carribean country, the president noted that Kenya's intervention had led to notable improvement in Haiti's security.
Haiti’s Foreign Affairs Ministry announced that the Caribbean nation had established diplomatic ties with Kenya, an important step for the mission.
President William Ruto is set to visit Congo after his visit to the US, for a high-level meeting organized by the African Development Bank (AFDB).
