Why Kenya came to Call…

Leave a CommentWhy Kenya came to Call…Commentary, Global, Government, National Security

TLDR; Kenyan President William Ruto visited the White House this morning. Kenya is the first sub-Saharan country to be made a ‘major non-NATO ally’ which means they have access to the NATO weaponry produced by the industrial military complex. Lobbyists are doubtless behind this move and Kenya will do its part by offering to police Haiti.

The United States and Kenya have recently strengthened their relationship, with Kenya being designated as a major non-NATO ally during this state visit by Kenyan President William Ruto. This move is significant as it makes Kenya the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive this status. This designation allows Kenya to obtain more sophisticated weaponry from the United States and engage in closer security cooperation. The enhanced partnership is expected to give Washington greater influence in East Africa and is a reflection of the longstanding counterterrorism relationship between the two countries, particularly in combating the al-Shabaab terrorist group.

In addition to the counterterrorism efforts, Kenya is also part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 nations that meets regularly to coordinate on how best to arm Kyiv against Moscow. This participation underscores Kenya’s commitment to global security and its role in addressing broader international security challenges.

The upgrade in the relationship between the U.S. and Kenya is seen as a strategic move by Washington to deepen ties with the East African nation, which has historically had closer relations with Russia and China. This shift comes at a time when the U.S. is preparing to send forces to Haiti as part of a U.N.-led force to address the security crisis in the Caribbean. Kenya has pledged 1,000 police officers to quell gang violence in this barely functioning nation.

The new partnership is a result of years of collaboration on joint counterterrorism operations that have degraded ISIS and al-Shabab across East Africa, as well as mutual support for Ukraine and efforts to rally the world to stand behind the U.N. Charter.