THE EVOLUTION OF KENYA’S BILATERAL RELATIONS WITH THE U.S.
BY PETUNIA THULO
Since gaining independence in 1963, Kenya has maintained a strong diplomatic relationship with the United States, establishing itself as one of the U.S.’s closest allies in Africa. Both countries have upheld strong ties through various political changes.
Kenya has had a total of five presidents since independence, in successive order: Jomo Kenyatta, Daniel Moi, Mwai Kibaki, Uhuru Kenyatta, and the current office holder, William Ruto, who was inaugurated on 13 September 2022.
There were times of reckoning, but the U.S. has consistently viewed Kenya as a model developing country that shares democratic values in Africa, and this perspective has endured over time.
Through several initiatives such as the United States defense cooperation framework, Trade and Investment Framework Agreement (TIFA), USAID projects, and the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), Kenya has expanded its bilateral engagement with the U.S. over the years.
L-R: Mrs. Rachel Ruto, First Lady of Kenya, President William Ruto, President Joe Biden, and Dr. Jill biden, First Lady of the United States.
In 2018, Kenya and the U.S. took deliberate steps to enhance their partnership by establishing a bilateral strategic dialogue. This dialogue aimed to foster accountability between the two nations and prioritize five key areas: Economic Prosperity, Trade and Investment; Defense Cooperation; Democracy, Governance, and Civil Security; Multilateral and Regional Issues; and Public Health Cooperation.
Over the past four years, Kenya’s goods exports to the United States grew by $326 million, increasing from $568 million in 2020 to $894 million in 2023, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. While U.S. goods exports to Kenya in 2023 totaled $485 million, total trade between the two countries was approximately $1.4 billion in 2023, a steady rise from $941 million in 2020. Apparel is one of the key drivers of Kenya’s exports to the U.S. It is supported by AGOA, and it is worth hundreds of millions of dollars on a yearly basis.
As of 2023, Kenya has attracted potential investment deals from American companies in various sectors, including renewable energy, agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and sports, among others.
President William Ruto’s visit to the White House earlier this year was a historic moment and a major step towards strengthening the strategic alliance between the two countries. It was the first state visit to the White House by an African leader in sixteen years.
In their talks, President Joe Biden and President William Ruto emphasized the need to expedite negotiations for the Strategic Trade and Investment Partnership (STIP) between Kenya and the U.S. before the end of 2024.
During his visit, President Ruto shared updates on reforms and enhancements to Kenya’s laws and policies, assuring the investment community of a more favorable investment environment, and improved macroeconomic conditions. He reiterated his government’s commitment to supporting foreign investors and urged American businesses to take advantage of the country’s growing and open market as well as its status as gateway to the East African market.
