US First Lady Jill Biden's Visit to Kenya to Advance Women's Empowerment and Strengthen Partnerships

On Friday, the First Lady of Kenya, Mama Rachel Ruto, is set to welcome the United States' First Lady, Jill Biden, who is currently on a five-day Africa tour in Namibia. Her visit is aimed at strengthening partnerships between the US and African countries, and promoting shared priorities in the region, including the empowerment of women and youth, efforts to address food insecurity, and promoting democratic values.

Mama Rachel Ruto released a statement expressing her excitement at Dr. Biden's visit and the significant role it will play in building cooperation and empowering women in Kenya. She believes that the visit exemplifies the longstanding relationship between the US and Kenya, as well as their shared commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment and supporting climate action.

During her visit, Dr. Biden will focus on women's economic empowerment projects and will visit the Joyful Women Program, which champions a transformational economic empowerment model called table banking. This model is active in 39 out of 47 counties in Kenya and aims to expand to all 47 counties. Mama Rachel is the champion of this program, which operates under the Mama Doing Good Organization.

This visit follows the U.S.-Africa Leaders’ Summit held last year, during which Dr. Biden hosted a two-day spousal program. It will be her sixth visit to Africa, her first visit to Namibia, and her third visit to Kenya. Her trip follows that of Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield, who visited in January to pursue closer US-Africa relations.

Mama Rachel is looking forward to constructive engagements during Dr. Biden's visit, which she believes will catalyze greater cooperation and partnership between the two countries.