President William Ruto is in Washington, D.C., to attend the landmark signing of a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, a diplomatic breakthrough aimed at ending decades of conflict in the Great Lakes region.

The high-stakes summit, hosted by U.S. President Donald Trump, elevates Kenya's position as a key peacemaker in Africa. For Kenyans, the visit extends beyond regional security, as President Ruto is set to secure critical partnerships in health and investment that directly align with his domestic economic agenda.

A New Dawn for Regional Stability?

The Washington ceremony is the culmination of multiple diplomatic efforts, including the Nairobi and Luanda peace processes, which sought to de-escalate tensions between the two neighbours. The conflict in Eastern DRC has displaced millions and destabilised a region critical to Kenya's own economic and security interests.

The agreement reportedly calls for the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from eastern DRC and for the Congolese government to cease its support for the FDLR militia. Attending alongside DRC's President Félix Tshisekedi and Rwanda's President Paul Kagame, Ruto's presence underscores Kenya's long-standing role as a mediator and a pillar of stability in East Africa.

Bringing the Gains Home

Beyond the peace accord, President Ruto's delegation is focused on advancing Kenya's strategic interests. A major highlight is the signing of the new Kenya–U.S. Health Cooperation Framework. This agreement transitions a 25-year partnership, largely defined by programs like PEPFAR, into a sustainable model led by the Kenyan government. The framework is designed to bolster Kenya's pursuit of Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and create a more self-reliant healthcare system by 2030.

On the economic front, the President is pitching his Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda (BETA) to American investors. Key areas of focus include:

• Agro-industrial Growth: Seeking investment to boost food production, including plans to put more land under irrigation through the construction of dams.
• Infrastructure Expansion: Promoting public-private partnerships for major projects in energy and transport to support industrialisation.
• Digital Trade: Fostering growth in Kenya's dynamic digital economy through enhanced cooperation and investment.
• Human Capital Development: Aligning U.S. support with programmes that create jobs and empower small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs).

This visit solidifies the strategic partnership between Nairobi and Washington, which spans security cooperation, trade, and public health. As the ink dries on the historic peace deal, the tangible economic and health benefits President Ruto secures could shape Kenya's development trajectory for years to come.