Nairobi, May 2 -- The US House Committee on Foreign Affairs has put in a formal request to Speaker Mike Johnson to invite President William Ruto to address a joint session of the Congress, potentially providing the Kenyan leader with a new podium to state his ideals.

Committee Chairman Michael McGaul and Ranking Member Gregory W Meeks on Wednesday wrote to Speaker Johnson asking him to send a formal invite to Nairobi, to tally with Ruto's upcoming state visit to Washington later in May.

"This year, we are celebrating the historic 60-year anniversary of the US-Kenya diplomatic relationship. Such an invitation would underscore the importance of the US-Kenya relationship and send a valuable signal to the people of Africa," the two lawmaker...