Foreign Affairs Ps Urge Kenyans To Remain Calm As Us Reviews Kenya's Non-Nato Ally Status
Foreign Affairs Principal Secretary Korir Sing’Oei has urged Kenyans not to get too excited following news that the United States is reviewing Kenya's special "Major Non-NATO Ally" status.
Sing’Oei, in a post on the social media platform X, assured the public that the issues raised would be addressed directly by the U.S. Congress, considering the country’s independence and interests.
The review, initiated by the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, stems from concerns in Washington over Kenya's continued engagements with China. Kenya was granted the MNNA designation in June 2024, a status that provides significant military and financial advantages and made it the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive such a title.
The U.S. Congress has directed a comprehensive review of Kenya's foreign policy and will present its findings within 180 days.
The U.S. and China are engaged in a long-term competition for global influence. This isn't just about military might but also economic, technological, and diplomatic power.
The U.S. sees countries forming closer ties with China, especially on infrastructure projects, trade, and technology, as potentially ceding influence to its main rival. By reviewing Kenya's MNNA status, the U.S. is signaling that its allies' foreign policy choices have consequences.
The U.S. wants to ensure that these benefits are going to countries that align with its strategic interests. A country with close ties to China or Russia could, from the U.S. perspective, pose a risk to intelligence sharing, military cooperation, or the security of American technology. The U.S. wants to avoid a situation where a partner country's relationships with adversaries could compromise its own security.
The U.S. expects its allies to at least be mindful of its foreign policy priorities.
Tags: SignsTV Major Non-NATO Ally NATO Korir Sing’Oei
