Tyler Perry, Coca Cola, Biden Talks- Plum Deals Awaiting Ruto During US Visit

The visit scheduled for May 23, will be the first by an African head of state to the U.S. since 2018, highlighting Kenya's esteemed position in international affairs.

Viral Tea Ke Writer Viral Tea Ke Writer
May 9, 2024 - 12:57 Updated: May 9, 2024 - 13:08
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Tyler Perry, Coca Cola, Biden Talks- Plum Deals Awaiting Ruto During US Visit
President William Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto at a reception hosted by US President Joe Biden during the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 23, 2022. /WILLIAM RUTO

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary (PS) Korir Sing'oei on Wednesday, May 8 revealed fresh details regarding President William Ruto's landmark state visit to the United States (US) set for later this month, one that is set to mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations.

The visit is projected to bring about significant advancements in terms of Kenya-U.S. relations and potential economic benefits.

The visit scheduled for May 23, will be the first by an African head of state to the U.S. since 2018, highlighting Kenya's esteemed position in international affairs.

Tyler Perry

In a significant development for the Kenyan creative industry, President Ruto will pay a visit to the Tyler Perry studios in Atlanta, Georgia where he will be joined by other Hollywood stars.

"President Ruto will visit Tyler Perry Studios. He'll be with Tyler Perry and a number of players within the Hollywood ecosystem to have a conversation with him about how they can work together with Kenya to unlock the potential of film," Sing'oei told Citizen TV's Jeff Koinange.

Photo of Tyler Perry. /GETTY IMAGES

Tyler Perry is an American playwright, actor, screenwriter, producer, and director who has been well known for successful works in many movies and series including, Madea, If Loving You is Wrong, The Haves and the Have Nots, For Better or Worse, The Oval among many more.

After his massive success, Perry opened his own studio in Atlanta which cost him about $250 million (Ksh33 billion).

This visit is therefore aimed at sparking significant conversations and partnerships between Kenyan creatives and major players in the Hollywood industry.

The focus will be on unlocking the potential of Kenya's film and entertainment sectors, creating avenues for collaboration and cultural exchange that could elevate the local creative scene on a global scale.

Coca-Cola

In terms of the business part, one of the highlights of the visit will be a Ksh26 billion investment from soft drinks giant Coca-Cola, a company currently valued at approximately $270.82 billion.

"There will be a signing of a major investment by Coca-Cola in the region of 200 million dollar investment in Kenya," Sing'oei added.

Joe Biden Talks

But arguably the main component of the visit will be President Ruto's bilateral talks with his US counterpart Joe Biden at the White House.

The discussions are expected to cover a range of topics including defence cooperation, counter-terrorism, and climate change, emphasizing Kenya's pivotal role in regional security and environmental initiatives.

"The president (Ruto) will hold a bilateral meeting with President Biden. They will consolidate conversations around our defence cooperation. Kenya is an anchor state in the region when it comes to counter-terrorism, peace and security.

"There will be a conversation about how Kenya can play a bigger role in that regard and the role the U.S can play to support that," the Foreign Affairs PS divulged.

Education & Health

Additionally, President Ruto will hold key engagements in higher education and health sectors, including meeting with several top U.S. academic institutions to foster partnerships focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

These discussions aim to create opportunities for collaboration and knowledge exchange that will benefit Kenyan educational institutions and students.

Additionally, the visit will see a partnership between Kenya's Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), focusing on health collaborations that are vital for the development of medical research and public health strategies in Kenya.

Dinner & Joint US Congress

The visit will culminate in a high-profile dinner hosted by the American Chamber of Commerce, where significant business deals are anticipated to be concluded.

Additionally, President Ruto is slated to address a joint session of the U.S. Congress, presenting a prime opportunity to articulate Kenya's vision and priorities on a prestigious international stage.

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