Upon the occasion of welcoming President William Ruto of Kenya to the United States, President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden hosted a significant dinner at the White House South Lawn on Thursday (May 23). This grand event marked the largest state banquet held by the Bidens since taking office.
Approximately 500 distinguished guests from various sectors such as business, sports, and politics were invited to attend the banquet. Alongside the Biden family, notable attendees included former President Bill Clinton, former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Vice President Kamala Harris, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and Minnesota Representative Ilhan Omar.
Other prominent guests included American businessman and NFL commissioner Roger Goodell, NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, Alex Soros – son of financier George Soros, and renowned actor LeVar Burton.
White House officials stated that President Biden’s elaborate reception of Ruto aimed to strengthen bilateral relations with Kenya, seen as a democratic stronghold playing an increasingly significant role in Africa and globally.
Ruto’s visit marked the first official state visit to the White House by a Kenyan head of state in twenty years and the first visit by an African head of state since 2008.
During the banquet, amid the warm glow of over a thousand candles, guests not only engaged in conversations but also had the opportunity to savor delectable dishes specially curated by the White House, including chilled green tomato soup, smoked beef ribs, butter-poached lobster, and white chocolate desserts.
Furthermore, guests enjoyed captivating performances by American musicians, country singer Brad Paisley, and the Howard Gospel Choir, together with Ruto, who is known for his love of music.
First Lady Jill Biden expressed that the selection of these renowned musicians was a gesture to honor the Ruto couple’s “love for gospel and country music.”