Biden hosts Ruto, other leaders for reception in New York

From left: US President Joe Biden, Predent William Ruto and First Lady Rachel during Heads of State reception in New York, United States. [William Ruto, Twitter]

The United States President Joe Biden on Thursday, September 22 hosted Heads of State who were in the country for the UN General Assembly.

Kenya's President William Ruto was among the visiting heads of government who Biden hosted for dinner in New York City.

Taking to his Twitter page after the Assembly, Ruto said: "Kenya will continue expanding its strategic partnership with the United States of America to advance peace and prosperity in Africa. [I'm] with [First Lady] Rachel at a reception hosted by the President of the United States during the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, New York."

Earlier Wednesday, Ruto made his inaugural address at the UN General Assembly, where he asked first-world countries and big lenders to extend debt relief to poor nations, saying the borrowing countries were still reeling in economic hardship caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Ruto, during his US tour, also met the nation's Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"[I] met the United States Secretary of State @SecBlinken in New York. We pledged to advance our strategic partnership at both bilateral and multilateral levels. We acknowledge the strong ties between Kenya and the United States and commit to step up cooperation in the areas of trade, investment, food security and stability in the Horn of Africa for the benefit of the people," said Ruto on his Twitter page.

The president's delegation to the US include Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen, former Foreign Affairs Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Ababu Namwamba and Kiharu MP Ndindi Nyoro.