Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has landed in Washington, DC, after an invitation from the United States government.
In a statement from the Prime CS's office on Tuesday, May 6, revealed that the visit was aimed at strengthening long-standing ties between Kenya and the US. This is the first high-level meeting between Kenya and the US since President Donald Trump took office in January.
Trump and Ruto have held talks on calls, with the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also making several calls to Nairobi, but, with Kenya positioning itself as the gateway to East Africa, Trump's government is making fresh inroads at the State House.
One of the key points of focus during the engagements will be trade and investment, with Mudavadi expected to push for the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) - the trade agreement which opened U.S. markets to African countries.
"On Trade and Investment, H.E. Mudavadi will push for the expansion of economic ties, including the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) and attracting US investments to Kenya," the office of the Prime CS revealed in the statement.
Another highlight of Mudavadi's trip will be talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Both leaders are expected to discuss broadening the scope of cooperation between the two nations.
Mudavadi will also meet with Brian Mast, the Chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, and officials from the International Development Finance Corporation (IDFC).
In addition, the Prime CS is expected to attend a high-level business roundtable at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. At this forum, he will interact with high-level American investors and pitch Kenya as an attractive destination to invest in.
Amid the ongoing tariff wars between China and the U.S, the Kenyan government appears to be strategic in its approach with the two superpowers in a calculated bid to maintain close relations with both. Mudavadi's visit comes barely weeks after President William Ruto visited China, where he struck several lucrative deals.
Ruto's visit was meant to build on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which Kenya and China established in 2017. Since that time, China has emerged as one of Kenya's most important partners.
Through a statement, Ruto revealed the deals in areas such as tourism, manufacturing, and agriculture worth Ksh100.1 billion ($773M) as the country aims to continue its long-standing development relationship with the Asian nation.
The largest of the seven deals saw Ruto secure a partnership with Zonken Group worth Ksh51.8 billion ($400M). In the deal, the company will engage in large-scale aloe cultivation, processing, and an export base in Baringo with the promise of creating 500 jobs.
It will also oversee a vineyard construction project for grape seedlings in Baringo. For both projects, it has acquired 372 acres of land.
