By Patricia Mollyne Mataga
President William Ruto on Monday, May 20, 2024, arrived in Atlanta, Georgia, marking the start of his three-day State Visit to the United States of America.
The President and his delegation touched down at Hartsfield Jackson International Airport Monday afternoon.
He was received by among others the United States Ambassador to Kenya Meg Whitman. Tens of Kenyans were also at the airport to welcome him.
According to an update by the State House, he is set for a series of engagements in Atlanta.
“President @WilliamsRuto has arrived in the United States of America to begin a three-day state visit,” read part of an update.
“He will be at the Carter Presidential Library and Museum in Atlanta Georgia to deliver a speech on Governance and democratic values, anti-corruption, democracies working together,” it added.
An itinerary shared by the State House indicates that on Wednesday, The President and the First Lady will arrive at Washington D.C’s St. Andrews Air Force Base, where they will be officially received with full ceremonial state honours.
The President is visiting the US at the invitation of his host Joe Biden whom he will meet on Thursday.
Kenya and the US enjoy strong bilateral ties which the visit is expected to strengthen further.
While in the US, Ruto and his delegation are expected to visit Tyler Perys studio in a bid to tap into the creative industry.
He will also deliver a keynote speech on shared Climate Solutions at the Smithsonian discussing global environmental challenges and collaborative efforts to address them.
On Friday, the head of state is scheduled to visit fora breakfast at the US Chamber of Commerce. He will also hold a digital roundtable discussion hosted by Vice President Kamala Harris.
To end his visit, Ruto will be at the Pentagon in a meeting that will highlight the Kenya-US defence partnership in the fight against terrorism, extremism, and other emerging areas, including cybersecurity.