Kenyan President William Ruto’s recent journey underscores the global reach of diplomatic relations. Seven months ago, he was greeted with ceremonial pomp in Beijing, seeking to bolster infrastructure projects with $1 billion in loans from China. Upon his arrival at Joint Base Andrews in Washington, a similar atmosphere of warmth surrounds him, with the notable presence of First Lady Dr. Jill Biden adding to the occasion.
President Joe Biden is leveraging high-level diplomacy to bolster ties with Kenya, designating it as a major non-NATO ally, a first in sub-Saharan Africa, and hosting a state dinner at the White House. Biden commended Ruto for Kenya’s leadership on a historic African green industrialization initiative and underscored their collaboration on health, economic, cyber, and climate security.
Against the backdrop of China’s expanding role in Africa, which now surpasses the US in direct investment, senior US officials acknowledge the need to counter China’s influence and financial leverage on the continent. The US Ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, emphasized America’s renewed commitment to Africa, noting the significant Chinese presence in Kenya.
While China has extended high-interest loans for development projects, including Kenya’s high-speed rail from Nairobi to Mombasa, Kenya and the US are set to announce that an American company will build a roadway along the same corridor, offering American firms opportunities to bid on major infrastructure projects in Kenya.
Between 2000 and 2022, China lent $170 billion to African nations, including $6.7 billion to Kenya, leading to significant debt burdens. Kenya’s debt is projected to reach 74% of its economic output, with rising interest costs consuming a large share of government revenue. During a joint press conference with Ruto, Biden addressed the need for nations to balance development with debt repayment.
Despite Kenya’s ongoing efforts to seek funds from Beijing, the US and Kenya will unveil the “Nairobi-Washington Vision,” urging creditor countries to provide financial relief and support. Ruto advocates for African leaders to rely more on Western nations and lower-interest loans from the World Bank.
The US has begun to fill the gap left by China, supporting initiatives like the rail corridor connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. Biden plans to visit Africa next year, spotlighting the strategic importance of the continent amid competition from Russia and China. The visit to Washington marks the first state visit by an African leader since 2008, highlighting Kenya’s critical role as a US ally.
Kenya remains a crucial partner in combating al-Shabab militants in Somalia and will soon deploy 1,000 paramilitary police officers to Haiti, with funding largely provided by the US. Biden defended the decision not to deploy US troops to Haiti, emphasizing support for partner-led efforts. A Kenyan delegation is currently in Haiti, assessing readiness for the security mission amidst political instability.
President Biden’s dedication to Africa marks a clear departure from former President Trump’s stance, highlighting a revitalized emphasis on the continent’s strategic significance. This state visit aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of democracies like Kenya in meeting the needs of their citizens and reinforcing the bonds between the US and Kenya amidst shifting global geopolitics.