Ruto Meets with Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts During US Tour

Deputy President William Ruto held a meeting with Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts during his ongoing tour of the US.

Ruto and Governor Ricketts discussed issues of mutual benefit between Kenya and Nebraska, particularly in the agriculture and livestock sectors.

“The State of Nebraska is home to the USA's most innovative agricultural and livestock sectors. This presents significant opportunities for knowledge, partnership and technology transfer for Kenya. The state is also a potential market for Kenyan tea and coffee,” said Ruto.

The deputy president was accompanied to the meeting by his wife Rachel Ruto, ANC leader Musalia Mudavadi, Turkana Governor Josphat Nanok, Nakuru Senator Susan Kihika, Kandara MP Alice Wahome, and economist David Ndii.

Ruto and his delegation also held a briefing with agriculture and natural resources scholars at Nebraska Innovation Campus, Lincoln, University of Nebraska in a separate meeting.

“Innovation, the adoption of modern technology and the latest scientific research can radically improve our agricultural sector, guarantee food security and alleviate hunger. In addition, it will provide surplus produce to earn farmers’ income. This is what we believe in; investing in people,” Ruto said through Facebook.

Ruto and his entourage left the country on Sunday for a 10-day tour of the US and UK, following invites from senior government officials and top policy institutes in Washington and London.

His presidential campaign secretariat said Ruto will participate in a conversation on foreign policy, the future of governance, and economic development in Kenya, East Africa, and the African continent.

He will speak at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, the Center for Strategic and International Studies, and at the University of Arizona's Washington Entrepreneurship Hub.

Ruto is also expected to meet officials of the State Department and the Pentagon as well as the US Government National Security Council (NSC) Advisor, according to the secretariat.

He will the head to London where he will meet senior UK government officials, visit the National Counter-Terrorism Center and speak at both the Commonwealth Secretariat and the Royal Institute of International Affairs (Chatham House). Ruto will also pay a courtesy call on the Archbishop of Canterbury, His Grace Justin Welby.

During the tour, Ruto will also hold meetings with Kenyans in the US and the UK to drum up support for his presidential bid.