US President Joe Biden is anticipated to officially recognize Kenya as a significant non-NATO ally during the three-day state visit of Kenyan President William Ruto. President Ruto was received by Biden at the White House prior to the formal events of the visit beginning on Thursday, which will feature an honor guard ceremony and conclude with an elaborate dinner.
The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) whose alliance is founded on the principle of collective defense, was founded in 1949 and is a group of 32 countries from Europe and North America that exists to protect the people and territory of its members.
Kenya will be the first sub-Saharan nation to receive this designation, enabling it to acquire more advanced weaponry from the United States and enhance its security collaboration with the U.S.
Biden’s decision coincides with Kenya’s preparations to deploy forces to Haiti as part of a UN-led mission to tackle the security crisis in the Caribbean. This designation is given by the United States to close, non-NATO allies that maintain strategic partnerships with the US military.
The new status marks an enhancement in the relationship between the two nations, potentially increasing Washington’s influence in East Africa. The United States and Kenya have a long-standing counter-terrorism partnership, collaborating to combat the al-Shabaab terrorist group, which has carried out deadly attacks in the region for decades. Additionally, Kenya is a member of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries that regularly convenes to coordinate efforts in arming Kyiv against Moscow.
The strengthening relationship between Washington and Nairobi arises amid the Biden administration’s concerns over China’s increasing influence in Africa, along with Russia’s connections with Kenya. Although Biden has not yet visited the continent as he had promised, granting major non-NATO ally status could serve as a gesture of commitment and intent.
President William Ruto began a four-day state visit to the United States on Monday, May 20, which will conclude today with a meeting at the White House with President Joe Biden. Dr. William Ruto, accompanied by First Lady Rachel and a delegation of over 30 people, is making the first state visit by an African leader in over 15 years—the last being Ghanaian President John Kufuor in 2009. This is also only the third state visit ever by a Kenyan head of state, following those by Daniel arap Moi in 1980 and Mwai Kibaki in 2003.
