WASHINGTON D.C., UNITED STATES — Kenya’s enhanced military access from the United States (US) could be jeopardized due to its growing dalliance with China. This follows a warning from US Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chairman Jim Risch, who has hinted at revoking Kenya’s major non-North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) ally status, which was granted by former President Joe Biden last year.
On Wednesday, May 21st, Senator Risch asserted that, as a consequence of Kenya’s increasingly warm relations with China—a significant global competitor to the United States—the world’s superpower should reconsider its support for Kenya.
Referencing a social media post involving Chinese Ambassador to Kenya Zhou Haiying and United Democratic Alliance (UDA) Chairperson Cecily Mbarire, Risch characterized the alliance as problematic for the US.
“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,” Risch stated. He further added, “Widened diplomacy” with America’s greatest competitor is not an alliance—it’s a risk for the US to assess.”
In June of last year, Kenya was granted major non-NATO ally status by former US President Joe Biden, a designation that facilitates closer security cooperation with the 32 member states of NATO, including the United States.
NATO stands as the world’s largest military alliance, with other influential members including the United Kingdom, Germany, France, Italy, and Canada. This move by Biden significantly elevated Kenya’s continental military standing, making it the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive such a designation.
As a major non-NATO ally, Kenya benefits from easier access to purchase US military technology and munition systems with fewer restrictions, and potentially receives priority delivery of US military surplus.
Furthermore, the partnership enables greater participation in joint training exercises, collaborative military training, counter-insurgency operations, and peacekeeping missions alongside US forces.
The agreement also grants Kenya eligibility for US government loan guarantees to finance the acquisition of defense equipment, allowing access to sophisticated munitions from the United States and fostering closer security cooperation with the global superpower.
This is not the first instance of Senator Risch criticizing Kenya’s relationship with China. On May 13th, Risch had previously called for a reassessment of the relationship between Kenya and the US.
Responding to President William Ruto’s recent visit to Beijing, Senator Risch warned that Kenya’s deepening partnership with China signals more than just an economic collaboration and could indicate a shift in global allegiances.
