OPINION: Why foreign presidential addresses to the US Congress matter

Why is this proposal important?

A foreign president being invited to speak to a joint session of Congress is a diplomatic honour vested from Congress. It also adds to the prestige of the White House’s invitation for a state visit to the president.

On the legislative front, the House Speaker’s invitation to a foreign Head of State accords the foreign executive the rare and unique platform to speak directly to the 535 politicians that make up the legislative arm of the American Government.435 in the House of Representatives, and 100 in the US Senate.

It also gives President Ruto access to the high ranking committee members in the House and Senate who will be amiable to calls for political, economic, defense and diplomatic support from Kenya. It affords President Ruto a free and expansive press in the US and international media space while raising his profile in Kenya and the African continent as a global player on the international stage.

Only one African president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has addressed a joint session of Congress in 18 years.  This is a first for Kenya.

However, this invitation comes with its potential challenges. This relates to the heightened expectations on Kenya from the United States to support its positions on the diplomatic, economic, political and security fronts on the global stage.

Conversely, it raises numerous dilemmas from America’s rivals on the role of Kenya in the international space.

For instance, why is Kenya bandwagoning on the coattails of the US? Is the Washington visit and Ruto’s address to a joint session of Congress a pivot to the West away from China, Iran, Russia and other American adversaries?

How will America’s rivals drive a wedge in the relationship between Washington and Nairobi? How will regional rivals in Africa check the growing influence of Kenya on the international stage? How will America’s rivals treat Kenya? What will their expectations be of the country? Does this mean Kenya is solidly in the American camp and has moved out of its traditional non-aligned status?

Lastly, how will such a closeness to America constrain Kenya’s capacity to have strategic autonomy in its foreign policy dealings on the international stage?

Foreign presidential addresses to Congress matter. But, they also raise multiple issues and create a plethora of implications. On May 25, 2024 President Ruto will experience the full range of these issues and implications.

The author, Prof. David Monda teaches International Relations and Foreign Policy at the City University of New York.