President William Ruto has described his recent high-level meetings in Washington, DC, as a defining moment in Kenya’s engagement with the United States.
In a statement on Saturday, he expressed “profound gratitude” to President Donald Trump and his team for the warm welcome and the productive dialogue that, he said, lays the foundation for a strengthened partnership.
“On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Kenya, I extend my profound gratitude to President Donald Trump and the Government of the United States for the generous hospitality accorded to our delegation in Washington, DC,” Ruto said.
He added, “Our engagements were not only productive, they equally marked a watershed moment in the long, strategic friendship between our two nations.”
Ruto highlighted the spirit of collaboration and the commitment from the Trump administration to pursue initiatives that benefit both countries. He described the talks as ushering in renewed momentum in areas including health, trade, investment, peace, and security.
On healthcare, both nations agreed to enhance cooperation in disease monitoring, expand access to primary care, and strengthen delivery of advanced medical technologies. “These commitments will save lives, uplift communities, and accelerate Kenya’s journey toward universal health coverage,” Ruto said.
In trade and investment, Ruto noted that concrete steps were agreed upon to broaden market opportunities, support African industrialisation, and generate employment for young people. He emphasized that the United States also pledged to invest in Kenya’s digital economy, infrastructure projects, and green initiatives, which he described as a “new era of shared prosperity.”
Ruto further drew attention to discussions on regional stability, including counter-terrorism, maritime security, and conflict resolution. “Our discussions on counter-terrorism, maritime security, and conflict resolution were encouraging and reaffirm that when Kenya and the United States act together, the region becomes more secure, stable and prosperous,” he said.
The President praised Trump’s “personal leadership” in reinvigorating bilateral ties and underscored Kenya’s commitment to converting the agreements into real-life benefits for citizens. “Kenya values President Trump's personal leadership and the renewed momentum he has brought to our bilateral relationship,” he said.
Ruto concluded by affirming that Kenya will work to ensure the outcomes of the Washington meetings have practical impact. “We are committed to translating the commitments made in Washington into real impact for our citizens, and to expanding this partnership into one of the most consequential and impactful on the continent,” he said.
