US Congress Speaker Mike Johnson Turns Down Request For William Ruto To Address Joint Session

• US Congress Speaker Mike Johnson declined a request for President William Ruto to address a joint session during his visit
• Raj Shah, Johnson’s deputy chief of staff, cited scheduling constraints as the reason for rejecting the request
• He outlined that the Kenyan delegation would have 90 minutes for engagement at the Capitol, including a one-on-one visit, a bipartisan leadership meeting, and a bicameral meeting
• Shah emphasised that hosting a joint session would disrupt Capitol Hill operations significantly, causing closures for hours and posing security challenges.

Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.

US Congress Speaker Mike Johnson has rejected a request to have President William Ruto address a joint session during his visit.

According to Raj Shah. Johnson’s deputy chief of staff, the Speaker, could not agree to their request due to scheduling restraints.

Shah explained that the Kenyan delegation would have 90 minutes for engagement with those at the Capitol

"Speaker Johnson welcomes President Ruto to the Capitol. We have offered the Kenyan embassy over 90 minutes of engagement including a one-on-one visit and a bipartisan leadership meeting with Speaker Johnson, Leader Jeffries, and Committee Chairmen and Ranking members, and a bicameral meeting. Unfortunately, due to scheduling restraints, we could not accommodate a request for remarks before a Joint Session," Shah said as reported by Punchbowl News

Shah further explained that a joint session consumes a lot of energy on Capitol Hill, arguing that the chamber closes for hours, which creates a security headache, and the House leadership loses a large chunk of the day's floor time.

US Congress request to Speaker Johnson

On Thursday, May 2, TUKO.co.ke reported that a formal request was made to the Speaker of the US House of Representatives for Ruto to address Congress during his official visit.

Members of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Gregory Meeks and Michael McCaul, urged Johnson to extend an invitation to Ruto to address a joint session of Congress.

This, they said, highlights the significance of Kenya ahead of the historic 60-year anniversary of the U.S.-Kenya diplomatic ties.

Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf was the last African head of state to address a joint meeting of the U.S. Congress.

Why did Biden invite Ruto to the U.S

In a press release on February 16, the White House disclosed that the meeting between Joe Biden and Ruto would take place on Thursday, May 23.

Biden stated that the meeting would commemorate the longstanding relations between Kenya and the U.S.

He added that the visit would bolster the U.S. and Kenya's shared commitment to advancing peace and security, enhancing economic ties, and uniting in defence of democratic values.