The event, hosted by President Joe Biden, was in honor of Kenyan leader William Ruto, marking the first state visit by an African leader in nearly two decades.
The dinner, the largest of the Biden presidency to date, was attended by an impressive roster of guests. Among them were former President Bill Clinton, actors LeVar Burton and Sean Penn, Vice President Kamala Harris, and a host of politicians. The evening's entertainment was provided by country singer Brad Paisley, who performed popular hits such as 'American Saturday Night' and 'This Country Music.'
The event took place in a 'transparent pavilion' on the South Lawn, where guests enjoyed a summer-inspired menu, as described by the White House chef. Obama made a brief appearance, mingling with guests before discreetly exiting as President Biden began his speech.
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In his address, Biden acknowledged the "many members of the African diaspora" present at the dinner, including Obama, who had just left. Obama, whose father was born in Kenya, had met with Ruto earlier in the day in Washington. The two leaders discussed democracy, climate, peace, and security challenges in Africa, according to the Kenyan leader’s office.
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May 24, 2024
The dinner was also a family affair for the Bidens. Hunter Biden and his wife Melissa were present, although Melissa walked the red carpet alone. The president's grandchildren, including Naomi Biden, Finnegan Biden, and Natalie Biden, were also in attendance.
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Notable figures who secured a place at President Biden's table included Minority House Leader Hakeem Jeffries, former President Bill Clinton, and former Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg. Other distinguished guests included singer-songwriter Don McLean, author Barbara Kingsolver, and top sports commissioners such as NFL's Roger Goodell and NBA's Adam Silver.
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This state visit is the first by an African leader since former President George W Bush hosted Ghana's President John Kufour in 2008. According to White House officials, Biden's intention in hosting Ruto is to strengthen bilateral ties with Nairobi, as Kenya increasingly becomes a significant player both in Africa and globally.
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The evening began with a cocktail reception on the White House terrace, followed by dinner in the transparent pavilion on the White House lawn. The pavilion was adorned with over 1,000 candles and a suspended centerpiece with 15,000 reflective metallic strips, according to White House Social Secretary Carlos Elizondo.
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The menu, prepared by White House Executive Chef Cris Comerfield, included chilled green tomato soup, butter-poached lobster, and lightly smoked short ribs. For dessert, guests were treated to a homemade white chocolate basket filled with a nectarine paste, banana ganache, fresh raspberries, and peaches.
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The after-dinner program featured live performances by country music star Brad Paisley and the Howard University gospel choir. First Lady Jill Biden stated that the performers were chosen to honor Mr. and Ms. Rufo's "love of gospel and country music," both genres with roots in African musical traditions.
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The dinner marked the culmination of a two-day visit involving business leaders from the US and Kenya. Earlier in the day, Biden greeted Ruto on the White House's South Lawn, expressing that "The world is safer when Kenya and the United States work together."
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In the Oval Office, Biden praised Ruto for his "bold leadership" and acknowledged the 60-year history of relations between the US and Kenya. He also announced that he is designating Kenya as a major non-Nato US ally, making it the first sub-Saharan nation to receive that designation.
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Biden and Ruto also announced the "Nairobi-Washington Vision," a call for creditor nations to facilitate assistance for developing nations with high debt burdens. Additionally, the White House announced $250m in grants for the World Bank’s International Development Association for crisis assistance to poor countries.
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"Together the United States and Kenya are working together on the challenges that matter most to our peoples lives — health, security, economic security, cybersecurity and climate security," Biden said, emphasizing the importance of the US-Kenya partnership.
