NAIROBI, Kenya — The anticipated first official visit by US Vice President JD Vance to Kenya has been called off, according to an announcement made by Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi.
The cancellation follows a directive from President Donald Trump to withdraw all American participation from the forthcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, where Vice President Vance had been scheduled to lead the US delegation before traveling to Nairobi.
The visit was originally slated for later this month.
Cancellation tied to G20 dispute
In an official statement, Mudavadi clarified the cause of the diplomatic setback:
“The cancellation follows the recent decision by President Donald Trump directing that American officials shall not attend the forthcoming G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, where Vice President Vance was to lead the United States delegation before proceeding to Nairobi,” Mudavadi said.
The G20 summit, focused on issues including global financial reform, climate change, and inclusive development, is scheduled to run from November 22 to 23. Vance’s trip to Nairobi, which would have marked the first official visit by a senior US executive official since President Trump returned to power, was seen as a key step in strengthening bilateral ties with Washington.
Despite the abrupt change in schedule, Nairobi maintained a measured tone, affirming the strength of its strategic partnership with the US.
“The Government remains confident that this development will not affect the strong and enduring ties between our two nations,” he said.
The partnership continues to span key areas of mutual interest, including security cooperation, trade and investment, education, health, and diaspora engagement.
Vance’s proposed visit was expected to focus on strategic and economic interests in East Africa, and address Kenya’s intention to finalize a trade deal with the US by the end of the year.
Trump cites South Africa’s treatment of minorities
The US withdrawal from the G20 stems from President Trump’s stated concerns regarding South Africa’s domestic policies.
On Friday, President Trump announced the US boycott, accusing South Africa of mistreating its white minority population.
“It is a total disgrace that the G20 will be held in South Africa,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social account, referencing what he called ‘human rights atrocities’ against white farmers. “No US government official will attend as long as these human rights atrocities continue,” he declared, confirming Washington’s absence from the global forum.
The Trump administration has consistently accused Pretoria of discriminating against white citizens through alleged land seizures and attacks on farms.
The South African government, however, has firmly and repeatedly denied the accusations, maintaining that its land reform policies are aimed at addressing historical imbalances rather than racial persecution.
Kenya, one of Washington’s closest allies in Africa, was expected to seek reassurance during Vance’s visit regarding its designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA). This title was awarded by the Joe Biden administration in 2024, making Kenya the first sub-Saharan country to hold the elevated defense and security status.
