Miguna Miguna Chides Ruto After US Congress Speaker Cancels His Address To American Lawmakers

• The most President William Ruto will have at Capitol Hill during his official visit to the US will be a 90-minute engagement with Speaker Mike Johnson and other ranking members
• Ruto would have had a historic moment addressing a joint session of the American Congress had the request by the Democrats accepted
• Kenyan lawyer Miguna Miguna attributed the cancellation to the supposed wanting of integrity of African leaders

Kai Eli, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings more than three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

Lawyer Miguna Miguna has scornfully reacted in support of the move by the United States Congress Speaker Michael Johnson to cancel the request to have President William Ruto address a joint session of the legislative house.

The request was by the lawmakers from the Democratic Party; Ruto will be in the US on a state visit on May 21.

Why US Congress Speaker cancelled Ruto's address

Johnson blamed the cancellation on the scheduling restraints.

But he offered the Kenyan envoy over 90 minutes of engagement including a one-on-one visit and a bipartisan leadership meeting with him and other ranking members at Capitol Hill.

Miguna said the move was informed by the US being alive to the wanting integrity of African leaders.

"What an embarrassment! This is why I keep saying that it’s a tragedy that those appointed to higher echelons of power must be competent and have integrity. Then such rotten eggs would not be splashed on our faces by foreign governments," said Miguna.

How Democrats reacted to Speaker Johnson's move

Johnson's communique irked lawmakers from the Democratic Party who accused him of rebuking them.

Richard E. Neal, the representative of Massachusetts's 1st congressional district, argued the Speaker downplayed the importance of the diplomatic relation between the US and Nairobi by turning down the request to have Ruto address the House.

He recalled his engagements with former president Uhuru Kenyatta saying they were successful and concretised the relations between the two countries.

"I had the privilege of hosting former Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta, where we spoke about the great opportunities to strengthen relations between our two economies present, and since then, Kenya has only continued to demonstrate its commitment to reaffirming our 60-year partnership. With the Biden Administration already rising to the rightful occasion by hosting a state dinner, the Congress must do the same," Neal said.

Barbara Lee, another lawmaker from the Democrat party, termed the cancellation as a disrespect to Ruto and the Kenyan people.

"Disgraceful. Rather than strengthening relationships with our allies, once again the Pro-Putin caucus shows its true colours by denying a critical East African ally a chance to address Congress. The Kenyan people and President Ruto deserve far more respect," she said.

Meanwhile, Ruto is set to meet top Hollywood stars during his tour.

Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Dr Korir Sing'oei disclosed that meeting Hollywood stars was part of the president's itinerary.

Kenya's creative industry potential

He said Ruto was aware of Kenya's creativity levels and was committed to offering the support he could to grow the film and entertainment sector.

The PS confirmed that Ruto would visit Tyler Perry Studios in Georgia, Atlanta, and meet with the proprietor, Tyler Perry.

According to the government official, Ruto will converse with Perry and other Hollywood stars about the opportunities and plan to unlock Kenya's film industry.

He observed that Kenya has a huge diaspora community in Atlanta whose input on investment opportunities in Kenya and the US was valuable.