The Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency spearheaded the state to the US media briefing at Weston Hotel in Nairobi. The State visit to the USA by H.E President Dr. William Ruto which will begin on 23rd May 2024 is Kenya’s third state visit to the United States in its history and coincides with the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Kenya and the United States, signifying a solid alliance that has tremendously benefited both countries. The last official state visit from an African leader to the United States was President John Kufour of Ghana in 2008 under the invitation of retired President George W Bush.

The visit by President Ruto to the United States highlights the strategic cooperation and strengthening of ties between Kenya and the United States. The purpose of the tour is to commemorate the successful collaboration and enduring friendship that have improved the lives of people in both nations.

During the visit, H.E President Dr. William Ruto will participate in high-level talks to improve common initiatives in important areas including trade, explore new opportunities for cooperation, and develop bilateral relations.

President Dr. Ruto will hold high-level talks with officials to improve common initiatives in important areas like trade, security, healthcare, and education as well as to explore new opportunities for collaboration. More diplomatic and economic interactions between the two countries are anticipated as a result of this visit.

Meetings with prominent American politicians, business executives, and Kenyan Americans living abroad are all on President Ruto's itinerary. To showcase the rich histories and accomplishments of both countries, the visit will also include ceremonial activities and cultural exchanges.

The main activities that will be undertaken in this regard are:

1. The “Make it Kenya” Exhibition to showcase Kenya’s opportunities in trade, investment and tourism between the 19th to 26th May 2024.

Kenyan businesses from all critical sectors such as healthcare, ICT and ICT-enabled services, agribusiness, horticulture, tea and coffee, textiles, leather, green investment, creative economy, and tourism as well as those of interest to US investors are gathered at this show.

More than thirty exhibitors have confirmed their attendance, and they are excited to present their goods and services as well as potential business and investment prospects with our American counterparts.

1. H.E. President Dr. William Ruto will preside over the Kenya-US High-Level Business Forum, which will feature roundtables, clinics, panels, discussions, and presentations on navigating Kenya's investment climate with examples of successful US investments and prospects, a "Why Kenya" pitch, the President's keynote address, and the signing or announcement of significant private sector investment deals.
2. To close the knowledge gap and draw attention to the potential and investment prospects in Kenya and the region, the Thematic Days and Forums that will be held in conjunction with the exhibition will concentrate on industries and value chains. Governmental organizations, purchasers, investors, tour operators, the media, civic society, and the diaspora are the targets of this. The areas of focus will be tourism (the United States is one of Kenya's primary source markets), textile and apparel (there are opportunities to leverage the AfCFTA framework to capitalize on the US as the primary export destination under the AGOA), horticulture (retail value chains and trade logistics), ICT and ICT enabled services (digital transformation technologies, Kenya as an ICT hub), health (UHC, medical supplies, localization of health security), tea and coffee (maximizing opportunities, pack at source, common user facilities), and green investment (EV capabilities).
3. The Kenya Diaspora Exhibition and Forum: This event gives the diaspora a chance to interact with the government on pertinent problems while also showcasing their accomplishments, skills, and potential.
4.  Product Launches Schedule: The US has helped several Kenyan businesses gain traction in the market, and two Kenyan companies will open retail locations in the US during this visit: Wandia Gichuru's Vivo Activewear, which will open its first location in Atlanta, Georgia, and Chebet Mutai's Wazawazi, which is also planned to open a leather products store in Denver, Colorado.

The value of merchandise trade between Kenya and the US grew from US$ 1.1 billion in 2012 to US$ 1.49 billion in 2022 representing 35% growth and making the US Kenya’s 2nd largest export market by value in Africa in 2022. The state visit is expected to boost Kenyan exports to the United States besides increasing local investment in the country.