The future of Kenya’s strategic military partnership with the United States is under threat following stern remarks from U.S Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch.
The senator has raised alarms over Kenya’s growing ties with China, warning that the East African nation risks losing its prestigious non-NATO ally status.
“Kenya plays a vital role in regional counter-insurgency and stability. But as our newest Major Non-NATO Ally, Kenya’s ties with China are troubling,” Senator Risch said in a statement on Wednesday, May 21.
The senator’s concerns stem from a recent meeting between Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Guyo Haiyen and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairperson Cecily Mbarire. Risch described the encounter as symbolic of a “widened diplomacy” with a geopolitical rival, casting doubt on Kenya’s allegiance to Western alliances.
“Widened diplomacy with America’s greatest competitor is not an alliance—it’s a risk for the US to assess,” he cautioned.
Kenya was designated a Major Non-NATO Ally in June 2023 by then-US President Joe Biden. The status, held by only a select group of countries outside the NATO bloc, significantly boosts military cooperation. It allows Kenya preferential access to American military technology, surplus weapons and defense financing options, while also paving the way for joint counter-insurgency training and peacekeeping operations.
The designation marked a historic milestone, making Kenya the first sub-Saharan African country to attain such recognition. It solidified Nairobi’s place as a key military player on the continent and a vital partner in US foreign policy in East Africa.
However, recent diplomatic signals appear to be shaking the foundation of that alliance. Senator Risch has previously criticized Kenya’s diplomatic lean toward Beijing, especially following President William Ruto’s high-profile visit to China earlier this year.
He emphasized that the deepening relationship goes beyond trade and infrastructure deals—it potentially signals a realignment of Kenya’s global alliances.
The US-China rivalry continues to define international relations and nations like Kenya are increasingly being caught in the crossfire. For Kenya, the potential loss of its non-NATO ally status could have far-reaching implications, particularly in defense funding, military readiness and regional security cooperation.
As global superpowers jostle for influence in Africa, the spotlight now turns to Nairobi’s next move—and whether its strategic partnerships can balance East and West without triggering fallout.
