President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden are hosting Kenyan President William Ruto and his wife, first lady Rachel Ruto for a state dinner, marking the first state visit a U.S. president has held for an African nation’s president since 2008. The visit comes as Mr. Biden has yet to fulfill his promise to visit Africa as president, with plans to go in February after being reelected. The two leaders are holding a joint news conference after their meetings and ahead of the state dinner, emphasizing the importance of collaboration between Kenya and the United States for a safer world.
The state dinner will feature country music star Brad Paisley as the musical guest. The menu and decor for the event are themed around the beginning of summer, with a first course of chilled green tomato soup and marinated onions and cucumber. The main course includes lobster poached in butter and marinated smoked short ribs served with a variety of sides. For dessert, guests will be treated to a homemade white chocolate basket with nectarine paste, banana ganache, and fresh berries, featuring stamped U.S. and Kenyan flags on the cover.
The evening will begin with a cocktail reception on the terrace before guests move to a transparent pavilion where over 1,000 candles on the walls will frame the Washington Monument, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere for the foreign guests. The Bidens are also presenting the Kenyan couple with gifts, including North Carolina-made rocking chairs with personalized inscriptions and a first edition of “The Trumpet of Conscience” by Martin Luther King, Jr. First lady Jill Biden is gifting her Kenyan counterpart a custom pearl and peridot gemstone necklace made in Philadelphia.
President Biden expressed optimism and hope as Kenyan President Ruto arrived, highlighting the strong commitment between Kenya and the United States to work together in building a better world. The state dinner serves as a symbolic gesture of friendship and partnership between the two nations, showcasing the importance of international diplomacy and collaboration. The elaborate event reflects the significance of the visit and the strengthening of ties between the U.S. and Kenya, setting a positive tone for future engagements and cooperation between the two countries.
