[PHOTOS] Ruto meets US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin

President William Ruto on Friday met with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin at the Pentagon in Virginia during his State visit to America. 

Austin said Kenya's support in the peace-keeping mission in Haiti shows the important role Kenya plays in the global sphere. 

"We also appreciate Kenya's contribution to UN international stability and peace approaches. We are also grateful for Kenya's general support in hosting US forces in Mandabay," Austin said.

Austin noted that Kenya and the US have agreed to expand the Manda Bay military base. 

He said the new agreement is a testament to the growing relationship between the two countries as well as the commitment the US has to strengthen Kenyans military capabilities to fight terrorism.

Ruto promised to work closely with the US government to bring peace to Haiti. 

"We all show up for Haiti and to promise you that we will be working with your teams to see how we can do this together and to expand, of course, our relationship into the future along the lines that President Biden and I discussed yesterday," Ruto said.