Ruto Honoured With Outstanding Leaders Award in US; Its Significance
Ruto made history by becoming the second Kenyan president to receive such a prestigious award.
Marvin Chege 
President William Ruto was on Friday, May 24 feted with the United States (US)-Kenya Business Center's Outstanding Leaders Award from the American Chamber of Commerce during his State visit to the American nation.
The award, bestowed by the U.S.-Africa Business Center, was presented to the Kenyan Head of State in the presence of US Vice President Kamala Harris during a gathering at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s, Africa Business Center.
Presenting him with the award was US Chamber of Commerce President Suzanne P. Clark who said;
"In recognition of your work to promote and advance business-led solutions and your steadfast commitment to trade and investment initiatives to grow Kenya's economy, it is my honour to present to you the US Africa Business Center Outstanding Leaders Award."
President William Ruto with US Vice President Kamala Harris at the US Chamber of Commerce on May 24, 2024. /SUSAN WALSH
Ruto made history by becoming the second Kenyan president to receive such a prestigious award. He followed in the footsteps of his predecessor, Uhuru Kenyatta, who was awarded the same recognition in 2019 during his visit to the U.S. under the administration of former President Donald Trump.
Kenyatta's visit notably initiated pivotal trade discussions between Kenya and the United States.
The U.S.-Africa Business Center’s Outstanding Leaders Award is a symbol of appreciation for exemplary regional, diplomatic, and economic leadership on the African continent.
During the conference, President Ruto hailed the US-Kenya business partnership reiterating that Kenya was well-aligned for the future, further pushing for a level-ground business and financial opportunities.
“We need a reform on the international financial architecture so that we make it fairer so that all countries and continents can access finances without an unnecessary profiling and without making them pay more than they should,” he said.
He highlighted Kenya's successful investor engagements and signed MoUs at the Forum.
In April this year, President Ruto was bestowed Ghana's highest honour, The Companion of the Order of the Star of the Volta. During a State banquet, Ghanaian President Nana Akufo-Addo lauded Ruto as an "example of a new generation of African leaders," stressing his commitment to upholding accountability and due process for all citizens, regardless of their societal status.
Similarly, Guinea-Bissau recognized President Ruto's outstanding leadership by awarding him the country's highest medal, the 'Medalha Amílcar Cabral'. This prestigious honour, named after the renowned West African leader, is bestowed upon individuals who demonstrate exceptional bravery and leadership in their respective fields.
Ruto is therefore no stranger to international awards which come as he continues to position himself and Kenya to make contributions to economic engagement, empowerment, and governance in global affairs.
On December 16, 2022, President Ruto was inducted into the American Academy of Achievement at a Golden Plate Award Ceremony held in Washington DC, USA for his inspiring journey from selling chicken by the roadside to rising to occupy State House, the highest house in the land, following the August 2022 elections.
That induction put him in an esteemed company consisting of an illustrious group of achievers such as former US President Barack Obama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu, the late Nelson Mandela, Oprah Winfrey, and Sydney Portier.
