President William Ruto is turning up the charm in Washington, striking bold promises after a high-profile meeting with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio in New York.
The Kenyan head of state used the sidelines of the UN General Assembly to pitch Kenya as America’s ultimate African partner.
His bet? A trade pact expected before year’s end that could flood U.S. markets with Kenyan products while unlocking billions in new investments.
But Ruto wasn’t only talking business. He pushed hard for deeper security ties, telling Washington that Kenya remains the region’s first line of defense against extremist groups.
The U.S. responded with praise, with Rubio saluting Kenya’s leadership in peace missions and vowing continued support to keep regional fires in check.
The talks also zeroed in on the future of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). For Ruto, its extension is non-negotiable.
He called it a lifeline that keeps Kenyan farms, factories, and workers afloat. Without it, thousands of jobs in key sectors like textiles could vanish.
Ruto’s message to Washington was blunt: Kenya is ready to play ball, but the U.S. must keep its end of the bargain. With trade dollars, jobs, and regional security on the line, the stakes couldn’t be higher.
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