President William Ruto touched down in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday for what is shaping up to be one of the most consequential diplomatic engagements of his presidency the formal signing of a peace pact between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Ruto, who arrived at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, was received by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi and senior Kenyan officials already stationed in the U.S. ahead of the ceremony.
On Thursday, Ruto will join Rwandan President Paul Kagame and DRC President Félix Tshisekedi at the White House, where the two leaders are expected to formally endorse a peace agreement aimed at ending persistent hostilities in eastern DRC.
The event is attracting global attention, with analysts calling it a rare opportunity to reset relations between Kigali and Kinshasa after years of mutual suspicion and violent conflict.
Unlike previous regional interventions, this accord has been shaped through an expanded diplomatic process combining U.S.-led mediation with coordinated African engagement.
Kenya has played a particularly active role, lending political support and offering its experience from earlier peace facilitation efforts in the region.
Ruto, who chairs the East African Community (EAC), has repeatedly urged the two countries to abandon confrontation and invest in a structured dialogue framework.
His participation in the signing is being viewed as a signal of Kenya’s commitment to regional stability and its rising influence in shaping long-term security solutions.
Speaking shortly before his departure, Ruto expressed optimism that the agreement could shift the trajectory of the Great Lakes region.
“For communities that have endured displacement, violence, and economic stagnation for far too long, this agreement offers a genuine chance for renewal,” he said. “Our support for this process is anchored in solidarity, responsibility, and the belief that peace is achievable when leaders commit to it.”
The final document is expected to outline obligations on troop disengagement, demobilisation of armed militias, and reopening of key transport and trade corridors that have been repeatedly shut down by conflict. It also emphasises humanitarian access to communities isolated by fighting.
If successfully implemented, the deal could ease decades of instability, restore cross-border commerce, and create conditions for long-term recovery in one of Africa’s most conflict-affected regions.
