Kenyan president's visit: A snub, a state dinner and a major 'non-NATO' ally designation

WASHINGTON — What's on the menu at the White House for visiting Kenyan President William Ruto: Smoked short ribs and buttered lobster. What's not on the menu: An invitation for the African leader to address a joint session of Congress.

That missing course has left many lawmakers fuming.

Even as President Joe Biden gets ready to treat Ruto and his wife, Rachel, to a sumptuous state dinner Thursday night, some fear the absence of an honor that has been accorded to all recent visiting heads of state could leave a bitter aftertaste.

Start the day smarter. Get all the news you need in your inbox each morning.

Many prominent lawmakers are upset over House Speaker Mike Johnson's rejection of a joint meeting of Congress with Ruto, which was proposed by the House Committee on Foreign Affairs to "underscore the importance of the U.S-Kenya relationship." His office cited "scheduling" issues for the denial.

Ruto’s trip is the first state visit by a Kenyan president to the United States in two decades and the first by an African leader since 2008. The last African leader to address Congress was Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf who spoke in the House chamber in 2006.

'Affront to American diplomacy'

In a letter to Johnson, Rep. Steven Horsford, chairman of the Congressional Black Caucus, called the move an "affront to American diplomacy," adding that it was "especially troubling" given that other heads of state who have come to the U.S. for an official visit during the 118th Congress have been invited to address Congress.

The letter, signed by more than 60 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, demanded that Ruto be "treated with the same respect granted to other heads of state."

Recent heads of state including Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kashida, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Israeli President Isaac Herzog, and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol have all addressed the joint session of Congress.

"Failing to invite President Ruto sends a dangerous message to the world," Horsford wrote. "About which countries the United States Congress deems worthy of addressing Congress and diminishes the importance of our nation’s relationship with the continent of Africa."

kenyan president's visit: a snub, a state dinner and a major 'non-nato' ally designation

First lady Jill Biden hosts a media preview in advance of Thursday evening's State Dinner for President William Ruto and first lady Rachel Ruto of the Republic of Kenya on Wednesday.

Lawmakers warn 'adversaries' are working to dent U.S. alliances

Asked about his decision, Johnson’s office sent a statement to USA TODAY saying "scheduling restraints" were the reason for the lack of invitation.

“We offered the Kenyan embassy over 90 minutes of engagement including a one-on-one visit with Speaker Johnson, bipartisan leadership meeting with Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, and Committee Chairmen and Ranking Members, and a bicameral meeting,” the statement said of the meeting that took place on Wednesday.

Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee, along with other lawmakers, also wrote to Johnson pointing out how "adversaries" like China, Russia, and Iran were working to subvert America’s alliances, particularly in Africa.

The East African nation, which is getting ready to deploy its police force in Haiti as the Caribbean country deals with the ongoing gang crisis, is emerging as a vital African partner to the U.S. Johnson’s choice not to provide Ruto the opportunity to address Congress helps create an opening for autocratic adversaries to make inroads in African public opinion, lawmakers warned, adding: "The people of Kenya deserve more respect."

Ruto’s visit marks 60 years of official U.S.-Kenya partnership “founded on shared values, deep cooperation, and a common vision for the future,” according to the White House. Biden is also expected to inform Congress on Thursday that he intends to designate Kenya as a major “non-NATO Ally." It's a designation granted by the United States to countries with close and strategic working relationships with the U.S. military and defense civilians.

Among other partnerships the two countries will work on include global peace and security, economic development, human rights, and tackling the climate crisis.

The state dinner, a glamorous diplomatic tool, will set the stage for a “friendship that will endure, helping create a shining and prosperous tomorrow,” said first lady Jill Biden.

Roses and orchids

On Thursday night, guests will dine under the stars, in a pavilion made of glass and glowing with candles.

The décor for the evening reflects the first lady's love of candlelight which she favors to make guests feel as if they're at home, even when they're part of a large group, said Bryan Rafanelli, the event planner for the evening.

The space, saturated with warm pinks and reds, will be decorated with roses and orchids representing the United States and Kenya.

"As guests leave their path illuminated by our one moon," said Biden. "I hope they will be filled with the same warmth that I felt on my visits to Kenya.”

Swapna Venugopal Ramaswamy is a White House correspondent for USA TODAY. You can follow her on X, formerly Twitter, @SwapnaVenugopal

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Kenyan president's visit: A snub, a state dinner and a major 'non-NATO' ally designation

OTHER NEWS

15 minutes ago

Watch as Ryan Garcia tries his hand at STAND-UP COMEDY with excruciating routine following his doping ban

15 minutes ago

Angel Reese and Caitlin Clark arrive for hotly-anticipated WNBA showdown with Sky rookie rocking eye-catching ensemble

20 minutes ago

Biden campaign lays out debate week strategy in new memo

22 minutes ago

Video: Former NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo says Trump's hush money case should have 'never been brought'

23 minutes ago

Toronto Blue Jays infielder gets 80-game drug suspension 2 days after major league debut

23 minutes ago

Illinois may soon return land the U.S. stole from a Prairie Band Potawatomi chief 175 years ago

23 minutes ago

'We are dreaming' - brave Albania not just playing for pride against Spain

23 minutes ago

Basketball ties aside, Macklin Celebrini focused on hockey as NHL draft's presumptive No. 1 pick

23 minutes ago

Taylor Swift's surprise songs from Night 2 of the Eras Tour in London, including a Hayley Williams appearance

23 minutes ago

England: Scholes selects new position to start ‘wasted’ Alexander-Arnold in three changes for Slovenia

23 minutes ago

Angela Rayner comments on election date gambling allegations

23 minutes ago

Ukraine vs Belgium: Euro 2024 prediction, kick-off time, TV, live stream, team news, h2h results, odds

23 minutes ago

Barcelona fear Arsenal as race hots up to sign sensational Spain midfielder

23 minutes ago

Matvei Michkov Signing Changes Trajectory Of Flyers Rebuild Timeline

23 minutes ago

Giovanni Pernice cuts dreary figure as he returns to stage with Anton Du Beke amid Strictly probe

23 minutes ago

Harry Kane sends firm warning to Gary Lineker after BBC star's brutal England criticism

23 minutes ago

Holders Dublin get quarter-final tie with Galway after edging clear of Mayo

23 minutes ago

Just one term? There is a strategy that can get Keir Starmer to No 10 – and keep him there

23 minutes ago

Boris Johnson demands Starmer denounce Jeremy Corbyn in latest column

23 minutes ago

'James had been very supportive of me'

23 minutes ago

Labour: Conservatives have utterly let renters down

23 minutes ago

Armagh power past Mayo to reach first All-Ireland minor final since 2009

23 minutes ago

PSL Awards: Sundowns and Pirates stars big winners

23 minutes ago

Tories have 'no leadership from top' as General Election betting scandal deepens

23 minutes ago

WATCH: DJ Maphorisa and Kabza De Small’s dancing video

23 minutes ago

Fired-up New Yorkers protest troublesome migrant tent city: ‘we’re going to keep the pressure on’

27 minutes ago

Rapper Foolio killed in Tampa shooting

27 minutes ago

‘I can’t move’: Ontario woman opens up about stiff person syndrome fight

29 minutes ago

Video: Katy Perry puts on a leggy display in Paris ahead of the Vogue World event after sparking Ozempic speculation

30 minutes ago

Labour would have to raise taxes to fill immediate £2bn black hole, Tories claim

30 minutes ago

Duda arrives in China to discuss trade, security in Europe

30 minutes ago

England suffer fresh injury concern ahead of Slovenia fixture

30 minutes ago

Russia vows military and legal response against US, holds it responsible for Kyiv attack

32 minutes ago

Tesla, opponents of Musk's pay package clash over resolving compensation lawsuit

36 minutes ago

Darwin Nunez is 25/1 with Sky Bet to score a hat-trick - as Uruguay open their Copa America 2024 campaign against Panama in Miami

37 minutes ago

Medicaid spending on migrants in Florida plummets after DeSantis crackdown on illegals: report

37 minutes ago

Illinois may return land stolen 175 years ago from a Prairie Band Potawatomi chief

38 minutes ago

Justin Reid opened the Chiefs “ChampionsHaus” pop-up in Frankfurt, Germany

38 minutes ago

Chelsea go ALL-IN on Nico Williams - Gianluca Di Marzio

38 minutes ago

Golden Nuggets: Ten more Sundays without real 49ers football