By Wasike Elvis

President William Ruto has combined his push for greater African representation on the global stage with a show of support for Kenyan sporting talent, attending a WNBA game in Brooklyn to watch Kenyan-born basketball star Madina Okot.

Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto watched Okot in action for the Atlanta Dream against the New York Liberty at Barclays Center on Wednesday night, shortly after the President addressed the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

During his UNGA address, Ruto called for reforms to the United Nations Security Council, arguing that Africa, despite having 54 countries and being frequently affected by decisions made at the global body, has no permanent representation on the Council.

He also called for a shift in how Africa's natural resources are exploited, urging greater investment, local value addition and the creation of jobs and prosperity on the continent.

From the diplomatic stage, the President then headed to Brooklyn to support a young Kenyan who has made history on the international basketball stage.

Okot, who hails from Mumias in Kakamega County, was selected 13th overall by the Atlanta Dream in the 2026 WNBA Draft. The 6-foot-6 centre became the first Kenyan woman to play in the WNBA.

The President and First Lady interacted with Okot courtside and later took a selfie with the basketball star, creating a memorable moment for the Kenyan player during her debut WNBA season.

Atlanta Dream won the game 83-65, with Okot making a brief appearance and recording one rebound.

After the match, Okot welcomed the President's presence, saying his support could help create opportunities for other Kenyan girls seeking to pursue basketball.

The visit has highlighted the growing journey of Kenyan athletes onto the world's biggest sporting stages, with Okot's rise from Mumias to professional basketball in the United States providing an example of how grassroots talent can reach the international arena.

For Okot, the presence of the Kenyan President and First Lady in the stands turned an important WNBA appearance into a particularly significant home-country moment.

The encounter also came as Ruto used his New York visit to combine Kenya's diplomatic agenda with attention to the country's young people, sports and international representation.