By Judy Maina
NAIROBI, Kenya — The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee has expressed apprehension regarding Kenya’s strengthening relationship with China, following recent remarks by Kenyan President William Ruto during his state visit to Beijing.
During the committee’s hearing on East Africa and the Horn, Chairman Jim Risch (R-Idaho) highlighted President Ruto’s statement referring to Kenya and China as “co-architects of a new world order.”
Risch suggested that such alignment could necessitate a reevaluation of U.S.-Kenya relations.
“That’s not just alignment to China; it’s allegiance,” Risch stated, emphasizing the need for the United States to reassess its partnerships with nations forging close ties with Beijing.
President Ruto’s visit to China marked his third trip to Beijing since taking office in 2022. During the visit, Kenya and China signed multiple agreements aimed at enhancing cooperation in infrastructure, trade, and development.
The two leaders committed to implementing outcomes from the Beijing Summit, promoting high-quality development of China-Africa cooperation, and building a China-Kenya community with a shared future.
Ruto’s remarks and Kenya’s growing engagement with China have raised questions among U.S. lawmakers about the future of U.S.-Kenya relations, especially considering Kenya’s designation as a major non-NATO ally in 2024.
The Senate hearing underscored the complexities of U.S. foreign policy in Africa, with lawmakers advocating for a focus on strengthening institutions, expanding private sector ties, and empowering the region’s youth, rather than relying solely on relationships with individual leaders.
Analysts say as global dynamics evolve, the United States faces the challenge of balancing its strategic interests in Africa with the growing influence of other global powers, notably China.
