William Ruto in US: Why Joe Biden is rolling out the red carpet for Kenya's leader
BBC NewsMay 23
Biden Hosts Kenya's President Ruto in Historic State Visit
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The Facts
US President Joe Biden on Wednesday received his Kenyan counterpart William Ruto at the White House for a three-day state visit, marking the first such visit by an African head of state since 2008.
At a roundtable meeting with Biden on technology at the White House, Ruto praised the US for its significant investment in the tech sector, arguing that it will expand opportunities and transform lives in Kenya and across Africa.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
Ruto's state visit highlights the growing US-Kenya strategic partnership and the significance Washington attaches to Africa. The historic visit reflects shared values and efforts in economic development and technological advancement, as well as in addressing regional and global security challenges. Reinforcing the US-Kenya alliance is all the more important given Russia and China's self-serving efforts to roll back Western influence in Africa.
Establishment-critical narrative
Ruto's trip to the US is the clearest indication yet that he has turned into a useful tool of the West and its dwindling global influence. Rather than delivering on his promise of fundamental economic change for the benefit of Kenyans, he committed to deploying police personnel to Haiti. However, the intervention does not serve Kenya's national interests but rather the enforcement of US interests. By cozying up to Washington, Ruto is leading Kenya into an uncertain future.