Next Africa

Sean Penn to Biden Fete Ruto as US Tries to Woo Africa

Rachel Ruto, Kenya’s first lady, and from left, Kenyan President William Ruto, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden ahead of a state dinner in Washington on May 23. — Rachel Ruto, Kenya’s first lady, and from left, Kenyan President William Ruto, US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden ahead of a state dinner in Washington on May 23.
Photographer: Anna Rose Layden/Bloomberg

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By Neil Munshi

May 24, 2024 at 8:49 AM EDT

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Kenyan President William Ruto became the first African leader in 16 years to be treated to the pomp and ceremony of an official US state visit.