RUTO DEFENDS CHINA TIES AMID U.S. REVIEW OF KENYA’S MAJOR NON-NATO ALLY STATUS

President William Ruto has responded to the United States’ decision to review Kenya’s designation as a major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), asserting that his foreign policy decisions are guided by Kenya’s national interests. Speaking at the Presidential Private Sector Roundtable on August 6, 2025, in Nairobi, Ruto defended Kenya’s growing economic ties with countries such as China, explaining that the goal is to open new markets and correct trade imbalances. “I must do what is best for Kenya. We import Sh600 billion worth of goods from China but export very little. That imbalance needed correction,” he said, noting that after talks with President Xi Jinping, China agreed to open its market to Kenyan agricultural products.

 He acknowledged that traditional partners have raised concerns over Kenya’s trade with China but clarified, “We are not turning away from them, we are expanding. We are also in talks with India, and relations with Turkey and Canada remain strong.” The U.S. granted Kenya MNNA status earlier this year, strengthening defense and trade ties. However, a congressional review led by Senator Jim Risch is now underway. It raises concerns about possible U.S. military or intelligence support being linked to human rights abuses in Kenya, including alleged abductions, torture, and violence.

The review also questions Kenya’s global alignments, particularly ties with China, Russia, and Iran, and highlights uncertainty around Kenya’s planned deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, a mission backed by the U.S. These concerns reflect the conditional nature of MNNA status, which depends on alignment with U.S. strategic interests.