Mr Obama, whose father was born in Kenya and visited the country as president in 2015, met with Mr Ruto earlier that day in Washington, exchanging views on democracy, climate, peace and security challenges in Africa, according to the Kenyan leader’s office.
Among the list of notable politicians who attended the event were Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, Attorney General Merrick Garland, and even representative Michael McCaul of the GOP party.