Pool Reports of May 22, 2024

WH pool #1: Jake Sullivan to join WH press briefing, scheduled for 1:00

Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre will be joined by National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan for the press briefing today, per WH.

WH In-town #2: Lunch lid until 12:50

Will update if the briefing gets pushed back.

WH pool #3: Two minute warning to briefing

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]

WH Pool #4: Briefing ended at approximately 2:14 PM

Next event is Kenyan President Ruto's arrival at 4pm.

WH pool #5: President Ruto's arrival. No news.

At approximately 4:03, President Biden emerged from the residence to welcome President William Ruto of Kenya on the South Lawn driveway to the White House.

There was some light (and faint) banter with the press about a potential Africa trip.

"We'll go today." Biden said. (Check transcript, as pool was some 20 yards away.)

Later, standing with Ruto under a blazing DC sun, Biden said "I plan to go in February after I am reelected."

He also asked if these questions were really "relevant."

He did not, however, proceed to answer a question on whether he was disappointed over U.S allies recognizing Palestine.

Pool is now holding for CEO event in East Room.

WH pool #6: No news from CEO summit with Kenyan president and delegation

At approximately 4:24, the pool was led into the East Room, with President Biden seated at the center of a long table, lengthwise with the room and facing the foyer. The US CEO delegation was on POTUS's left with former Xerox CEO Ursula Burns on Biden's immediate left; the Kenyan President on his right, along with the rest of the Kenyan delegation.

Biden, reading from a binder with laminated pages, began by referring to Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's recent visit to Kenya.

"I can't think of a better way to kick off this visit," Biden said, before recalling a trip he made to Kenya as Vice President. He praised the innovative spirit of the Kenyan people and noted the longstanding ties between the two countries.

"Nowhere is it more important than the realm of innovation. That's why we have so many business leaders around this table."

"We are launching a new era of economic cooperation between Kenya and America," Biden said.

"My message is really straightforward and simple: Thank you, Thank you. And keep it up."

Biden went out of his way to compliment the intelligence of his Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, marveling at the statistics she can summon at will. "Reminds me of my sister," Biden said.

After Biden spoke for about five minutes, it was President Ruto's turn and he explained how his country is "hungry for opportunities."

"We are moving from ideas into action," Ruto said.

After both leaders gave their opening remarks, it was indicated to the pool that it was time for us to leave.

"Thank you all," Biden said.

Biden did not engage with two shouted questions, which were clearly heard. Would he welcome Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressing Congress?

No response.

And one question on his message to allies who are recognizing Palestinian statehood (a version which was asked earlier on the South Lawn).

No response.

WH pool #7 Full list of participants in the CEO summit

From a White House official:

The President is participating in an engagement with President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya and 10 business leaders—representing both the United States and Kenya—for a roundtable discussion about the technology and innovation partnership between the United States and Kenya.

Background
The United States and Kenya share a commitment to ensuring that technology is developed and deployed in a manner that advances transparency, accountability, and human rights. This roundtable will highlight the strong and growing ties between the Silicon Valley and the Silicon Savannah and set the stage for the next chapter of the U.S.-Kenya strategic technology partnership, with a focus on promoting the digital economy, enhancing cybersecurity, building secure and resilient supply chains, and investing in our workers.

Participants
Ms. Ruth Porat, President, CIO, & CFO, Alphabet and Google
Ms. Cheryl Mills, Founder and CEO, BlackIvy Group
Ms. Ursula Burns, Chairwomen, Teneo
Mr. Franklin Amoo, Founder & Managing Partner, Baylis Emerging Markets
Mr. Jesse Moore, CEO, M-KOPA
Dr. Peter Muchiri, CEO & Vice Chancellor, Dedan Kimathi University of Technology
Dr. Anthony Githinji, Founder & CEO, Semiconductor Technologies Limited
Dr. Kamau Gachigi, Founding Executive Director, Gearbox
Mr. Sitoyo Lopokoiyit, CEO, M-PESA
Mr. Jit Bhattacharya, CEO, BasiGo

U.S. Delegation
T.H. Gina Raimondo, Secretary of Commerce
T.H. Jake Sullivan, Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs
T.H. Kurt Campbell, Deputy Secretary of State
T.H. Margaret Whitman, Ambassador of the United States to the Republic of Kenya
T.H. Steve Benjamin, Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the President & Director of the Office of Public Engagement
T.H. Anne Neuberger, Deputy Assistant to the President & Deputy National Security Advisor for Cyber & Emerging Technology, National Security Council
T.H. Jenny Kaplan, Deputy Assistant to the President & Senior Advisor to the Director of the Office of Public Engagement
T.H. Tarun Chhabra, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for Technology & National Security
T.H. Frances Brown, Special Assistant to the President & Senior Director for African Affairs, National Security Council
Mr. Edward Dean, Counselor to the Secretary, Department of Commerce

Kenyan Delegation
T.H. Musalia Mudavadi, Prime Cabinet Secretary & Cabinet Secretary for Foreign & Diaspora Affairs of Kenya
T.H. Rebecca Miano, Cabinet Secretary for Investments, Trade & Industry
T.H. Monica Juma, National Security Advisor
Dr. Korir Singoei, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs
T.H. John Tanui, Principal Secretary, Ministry of Information, Communications, & the Digital Economy
T.H. Lazarus Amayo, Ambassador of Kenya to the United States
T.H. Christopher Kirigua, Deputy Chief of Mission
T.H. Philip Thigo, Special Envoy on Technology for Kenya
T.H. Joseph Masila, Director of Economic Diplomacy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Speaking Program
The President
President William Ruto of the Republic of Kenya

WH pool #8: A lid was declared at 5:14

[APP Note: No additional text was included in this report.]