Aljazeera's Inside Story posted on 24 May 2024 a 27-minute panel program titled "What Do African Countries Stand to Gain from William Ruto's US Visit?"
The panel consisting of two persons in Nairobi and one in Washington discussed a range of issues concerning President Willim Ruto's state visit to the United States and US policy in Africa. The moderator also focused on competition the United States is facing from China and Russia in Africa.
CNN published on 23 May an article titled "Biden Looks to Counter China's Influence as He Rolls Out Red Carpet for Kenya" by Kevin Liptak and Kayla Tausche.
The article places the state visit to the United States by Kenyan President William Ruto in the context of competition between Washington and Beijing for economic and political influence in Africa.
Comment: While competition with China is often a sub theme of US policy in Africa, it is a mistake to conclude it is the driving factor. Washington needs and wants to develop stronger relations across the continent for its own interests, which extend far beyond what China is doing in Africa.
The International Crisis Group published on 15 May 2024 a background piece titled "What's at Stake in Kenyan President William Ruto's State Visit to the United States?" by Meron Elias.
The Congressional Research Service published on 15 May 2024 a backgrounder titled "U.S.-Kenya Trade Negotiations."
Comment: Both of these analyses are helpful in putting the US-Kenya relationship in perspective and providing background to the visit by Kenyan President William Ruto.
