Details Of Top US Official's 2-Day Visit To Kenya & Meeting With Ruto

United States (US) Trade Representative Katherine Tai will travel to Nairobi, Kenya for a two-day visit between July 17-19, 2023.

This is according to a statement from the Office of the United States Trade Representative on Thursday, July 13 which revealed that Tai is scheduled to co-lead a meeting of the U.S. – East African Community (EAC) Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA) Council.

"This meeting marks the fifteen-year anniversary of the U.S. – EAC TIFA and comes as the Biden-Harris Administration intensifies engagement both bilaterally with Kenya and throughout the continent," the statement read in part.

United States Trade Representative Katherine Tai during a press conference on May 4, 2023. /NBC NEWS

During this trip, Tai will meet with senior government officials in Kenya, including President William Ruto.

She will also meet Cabinet Secretary for Trade Moses Kuria, Cabinet Secretary for EAC and Arid and Semi-Arid Lands Rebecca Miano as well as U.S. Ambassador Meg Whitman.

Tai will also meet with labour stakeholders, members of Kenya’s civil society, local businesses, and private sector representatives to discuss opportunities for increased cooperation with the United States.

"Ambassador Tai will also join U.S. Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, to meet with local youth and women entrepreneurs and discuss how the two countries can promote inclusive trade and economic prosperity for all.

"Additional details on Ambassador Tai’s meetings and events in Nairobi will be provided at a later date," added the statement.

Tai was sworn in as the 19th United States Trade Representative on March 18, 2021. As a member of the President’s Cabinet, she is the principal trade advisor, negotiator, and spokesperson on U.S. trade policy. 

Tai had on Thursday, November 3, 2022, met virtually with Kuria, congratulating him on his confirmation in his position as the Cabinet Secretary for the Ministry of Investments, Trade and Industry.

“We discussed various ways through which we will develop trade and investment relations between Kenya and the United States under our Strategic Trade and Investment Programme (STIP),” stated Kuria.