President William Ruto met United States Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Thursday at State House, Nairobi, as part of the senior American official’s two-day visit to Kenya. Their discussions focused on deepening Kenya–US relations, regional security, and trade cooperation.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties between the two nations, which President Ruto described as “anchored on mutual respect and shared strategic interests.”
Highlighting last year’s Sh208 billion Kenya–US Health Cooperation Framework, President Ruto said the agreement is the first of its kind worldwide under the America First Global Health Strategy.
He added that the government-to-government arrangement is “a major boost to Kenya’s universal healthcare programme, as it bypasses traditional NGO intermediaries.”
President Ruto also welcomed the renewal of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) for an additional three years following its expiry in 2025. He noted that the framework has been crucial in expanding Kenyan exports to the United States, offering duty-free and quota-free access.
On trade, the two countries are working toward a comprehensive agreement, with ongoing discussions covering tariff reductions, digital trade, and investment opportunities.
During his visit, Deputy Secretary Landau met Kenyan police officers who served in Haiti, expressing gratitude for their service. The meeting was held at the National Police Service campus in Embakasi.
Security discussions also addressed counter-terrorism efforts in Somalia, with Landau emphasizing the need to reassess strategies after more than two decades of persistent challenges.
President Ruto added that Kenya is prepared to provide logistical support for humanitarian aid to Sudan, where the ongoing civil war has affected over seven million people.
