Ruto on the Spot Over Kenya–US Deal: "No Wonder He Was the Only African Leader Invited to the G7"

President William Ruto is facing fresh criticism after Thirdway Alliance party leader Ekuru Aukot linked his invitation to the G7 Summit to Kenya's newly announced minerals deal with the United States.

In a series of posts shared on his X account on Friday, June 19, Aukot questioned the government's handling of the agreement.

The former presidential candidate claimed that earlier explanations about the construction of an Ebola quarantine facility in Laikipia were meant to divert public attention, alleging that the project was instead linked to the processing and transit of minerals for export to the US.

Aukot argued that Ruto's announcement had confirmed what he had long suspected about Kenya's role in supplying critical minerals to Washington. 

He also claimed that the facility located inside a military barracks was intended for mineral processing rather than public health.

The Thirdway Alliance party leader suggested that Ruto's attendance at the G7 Summit was tied to the minerals partnership. 

He said the latest developments explained why the Kenyan leader was the only African head of state invited to the meeting, adding that the arrangement could trigger public backlash.

Aukot was reacting to Ruto's remarks during an interview with APT News on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France, where the president revealed that Kenya and the United States were finalising an agreement on rare earth and critical minerals.

Ruto said both countries had agreed that the minerals would be processed in Kenya, describing the deal as beneficial to both sides.

The preliminary agreement is expected to give the United States access to the largely unexplored rare earth deposits at Mrima Hills in Kwale County, estimated to be worth about $62.4 billion.