ANALYSIS — President Joe Biden on Thursday hailed Washington’s six-decade-old business and political alliance with Kenya as he looked to bolster a key ally seen as a buffer to Chinese and Russian influence in Africa.
During an elaborate welcome ceremony on the White House’s South Lawn that included the two leaders reviewing U.S. military troops, Biden hailed Kenyan President William Ruto’s cooperation on combating violent extremist groups like ISIS and al-Shabab, as well as for taking steps to curb the impacts of climate change. But, like during more informal meetings on Wednesday, the U.S. president made clear that deepening the countries’ business ties was perhaps the biggest focus of the state visit.
“Today, as we begin the next decade of our partnership, we’ve launched a new initiative to bring our countries, companies and communities closer,” Biden said. “Because the past is our proof that we are stronger, and the world is safer, when Kenya and the United States work together.”
