White House Denies William Ruto And Team Chance To Use Their Silverware As Joe Biden Rents Out

• President William Ruto and his Kenyan delegation were treated to a sumptuous meal by the White House during a state dinner
• However, it has emerged that because the dinner was held outside the White House, Biden's team hired silverware that was used
• According to a former White House social secretary, the guest's preference is what gets considered when planning a state dinner

New information has emerged that President William Ruto and his team, who attended the White House state dinner, ate from rented silverware.

According to an explanation by Jeremy Bernard, former president Barack Obama's social secretary at the White House, a guest's preference determines what goes into planning.

Who attended William Ruto's US state dinner?

Ruto's state dinner was the first held for an African president since the last one in 2008, and it featured notable key leaders like former presidents Bill Clinton and Barrack Obama.

The dinner also ensured that key artistes like country music superstar Brad Paisley and a gospel choir performed in line with Ruto's genre preference.

"The most important part is to ensure that everything goes as planned. And that is true with all the state dinners because they are all very important. This is the 60th anniversary of our relationship with Kenya. It looks beautiful from what I can see. It's done in a pavilion this time on the south lawn, which means you can get more guests, but tactically, you cannot get the White House china, it has to be rental," said Bernard.

According to the former social secretary, the curator does not allow silverware outside the White House and does not consider a temporary pavilion part of the White House property.

He recalled when that rule was broken and maintained that the no-china outside White House applied during Ruto's visit to the US.

Watch the video below, as shared by CNN's Larry Madowo:

Here are some reactions from social media users:

@MudgeRulf said:

"Can we also talk about what the US is getting back from Kenya in return?"

@_Nana_Kc said:

"Dining with the who's and who's of the world.. Must be nice."

@MjombaCM said:

"Something is cooking."

@DavidGithucodes said:

"We're now America's special friend in sub-Saharan Africa, and we're even NATO-aligned now."

Ruto and Obama exchange pleasantries

Ruto met with Obama at Blair House on Thursday, May 23, and the leaders embraced and exchanged greetings in Kiswahili.

Obama conveyed sincere gratitude for the warm reception extended to him during his trips to Kenya in July 2015, while in office, and once more in July 2018, post-presidency.

In a statement, President Ruto said his conversation with Obama primarily focused on democratic developments, climate issues, and peace and security challenges in Africa.

Proofreading by Mercy Nyambura Guthua, journalist and copy editor at TUKO.co.ke