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President William Ruto has extended his congratulations to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump following his election victory, during a phone call in which the two leaders focused on strengthening bilateral ties and exploring areas of mutual interest.
Ruto expressed optimism about Trump’s upcoming term and underscored the significance of U.S.-Kenya cooperation on crucial issues such as trade, security, and governance.
The conversation also delved into boosting economic ties, particularly around trade and investment between the two nations.
“I had a phone conversation this evening with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. I congratulated him on his election as the 47th President of the United States,” Ruto said. “We discussed issues of mutual interest benefiting both our countries, including trade and investment, security, and governance.”
Trump, the Republican candidate, secured enough Electoral College votes to win the presidency, marking his return to the White House after four years, defeating Democrat Kamala Harris.
The call highlighted the strong and enduring relationship between Kenya and the U.S., with both leaders emphasizing the importance of enhancing economic and security cooperation. Ruto pointed out that Kenya is looking to expand trade and attract more American investment.
Both leaders expressed a shared desire to deepen economic partnerships, which Ruto noted would create opportunities for their citizens and benefit both economies.
During the conversation, Ruto also updated Trump on Kenya’s leadership role in the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti, a peacekeeping initiative led by Kenya with U.N. backing to address the violence and instability in the Caribbean nation.
Kenya’s involvement in Haiti reflects the country’s growing contribution to global peacekeeping efforts. Ruto invited the U.S. to explore potential areas of collaboration on this mission.
The conversation was further echoed by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who spoke with Ruto on Thursday to express appreciation for Kenya’s commitment to the Haiti peacekeeping mission.
Blinken also acknowledged Kenya’s ongoing efforts to help restore peace and security in Haiti. The two leaders discussed the Tumaini Peace Initiative, aimed at fostering peace in South Sudan, and Blinken stressed the need for full engagement from South Sudan’s leaders in peace talks facilitated by Kenya.
The U.S. Secretary of State also addressed the situation in Sudan, where both Ruto and Blinken emphasized the importance of coordinated efforts to increase humanitarian access, end the conflict, and establish civilian-led governance, as Sudan faces growing violence and a worsening humanitarian crisis.
Additionally, Blinken raised concerns about the protests in Kenya from June to August and emphasized the need for accountability for security forces involved in protest-related violence and alleged abductions. He reaffirmed U.S. support for Kenya’s democratic principles and the inclusion of civil society and youth.
Both the call with Trump and the discussions with Blinken underscore the deepening Kenya-U.S. partnership, with both leaders reaffirming their commitment to addressing regional and global challenges, ranging from peacekeeping and democratic governance to economic development.
