Inside Ruto’s most significant U.S. mission: Historic gains & a defining visit

President William Ruto has unpacked his successful visit to the United States of America where he met President Donald Trump and sealed several deals.

Ruto expressed “profound gratitude” to President Trump and hailed the successful visit as a “watershed moment” in the long, strategic friendship between Kenya and the U.S.

The visit set the tone for Kenya’s relationship with the Trump administration at a time when China is also courting East and Central Africa’s economic giant.

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Ruto noted that the talks signalled a new era in the bilateral relationship between the two countries and praised Trump for his clarity of purpose and commitment to forging a bold and mutually beneficial course for present and future cooperation.

The visit yielded tangible benefits for Kenya with commitment commitments spanning health, trade, investment, peace and security.

Ruto signed a historic Sh320billion health deal that is the first of its kind in the world, in addition to several other commitments aligned with the new U.S. aid arrangements under President Trump and his administration.

Leveraging on existing healthcare infrastructure in the country, the deal will see Kenya benefit from strengthened disease surveillance, expanded primary healthcare and advanced medical technologies.

The aid will also accelerate progress towards universal health coverage in the country, complementing existing government programs.

As a result of his high-level engagements in Washington, DC, Ruto noted that “decisive steps” were made to unlock new value chains, expand market access, support African manufacturing and create jobs for young people in the country.

Hailing the productive engagements as a new era of shared prosperity, Ruto welcomed U.S.’s willingness to invest in key sectors of the economy, including Kenya’s digital economy, infrastructure and green transition.

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Regional peace and stability efforts also made it to the agenda with President Ruto highlighting President Trump’s commitment to work with local actors to promote peace and stability across the Horn of Africa and the Great Lakes region.

While in Washington, DC, President Ruto witnessed the signing of a landmark peace deal between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo.