- U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised Kenya as a dependable U.S. ally in Africa and Haiti.
- His statement aimed at calming fears that Kenya’s closeness with China may affect its MNNA status.
- James Risch earlier pushed for a review of Kenya’s China ties after Ruto’s Beijing deals.
- Ex-Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua accused Ruto of misusing U.S. aid.
- President Ruto defended trade with China, calling it necessary for Kenya’s growth.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has assured that Kenya remains a strong and trusted partner of the United States. He said the two nations will continue working together on peace and security matters in Africa and Haiti. Rubio also stressed that talks focused on expanding U.S. commercial investment in Kenya.
His comments followed a heated debate in Washington, where concerns had grown that Kenya’s growing friendship with China could put its Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) status at risk. James Risch, chair of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, recently called for a detailed review of Kenya’s political, financial and military links with Beijing.
The debate was triggered by President William Ruto’s April state visit to China. During the visit, Kenya signed over 20 agreements in areas such as infrastructure, education, and digital technology. Ruto described Kenya and China as “co-architects of a new world order,” a remark that unsettled many U.S. officials.
Risch later warned it was a mistake for America to rely heavily on allies openly warming up to Beijing. He also questioned Kenya’s use of U.S. security assistance, pointing to claims of repression and human rights abuses.
The controversy deepened when former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua, during a short trip to the U.S., accused Ruto of misusing American aid and even called him “the enemy.” The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Nairobi dismissed his words as empty political talk.
Despite the criticism, Ruto stood firm. He argued that Kenya needs new markets to secure its future. “Some of our friends are complaining that we are doing too much trade with China,” he said in August. “But it is what I must do for Kenya.”
For now, Rubio’s reassurance shows Washington is not ready to downgrade ties with Nairobi. But the episode highlights the tough balancing act for Ruto, keeping Kenya’s partnership with the U.S. intact while at the same time building closer economic links with China.
