Biden pulls out all the stops for Kenya’s leader with largest state dinner of presidency so far - 500 guests will be seated in a pavilion featuring more than 1,000 candles to enjoy a dinner celebratin

William Ruto's invitation to the White House marks the first state visit to the United States by an African leader in more than 15 years.

President Joe Biden and Kenyan President William Ruto are using the first state visit to the United States by an African leader in more than 15 years to call on economies around the globe to take action to reduce the enormous debt burden crushing Kenya and other developing nations.

Kenyan President William Ruto is the first African leader in more than 15 years to make an official state visit to the US. This is an opportunity for President Joe Biden to demonstrate commitment to Africa at a time when Washington appears to be playing catch-up in its engagement with the continent.

President Ruto’s visit to the White House comes as America seeks to counter the influence of China and Russia in the region

The largely symbolic designation by Biden was described by two U.S. officials who spoke on condition of anonymity to preview an announcement that will come later during Ruto's state visit, which began with a White House meeting Wednesday afternoon with American and Kenyan tech leaders.