NEW YORK, US — President William Ruto has held talks with United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio on expanding Kenya-US cooperation in trade, technology, critical minerals, energy and regional security.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York as Kenya seeks to deepen its economic and strategic partnership with Washington.
Ruto said the relationship between Kenya and the US remains anchored on trade, security, technology and development.
Ruto Welcomes AGOA Extension
Ruto welcomed the extension of the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), saying it would strengthen trade between Africa and the United States and expand economic opportunities.
“We welcome the extension of AGOA, which will strengthen trade between Africa and the United States and expand economic opportunities,” Ruto said.
Kenya has been seeking to deepen access to the US market while expanding investment and commercial ties between the two countries.
Kenya, US Explore AI Cooperation
The discussions also focused on emerging technologies, particularly artificial intelligence (AI).
Ruto said Kenya and the US were exploring cooperation on the application of AI in sectors including health, education and financial services.
The two sides also discussed the responsible governance of rapidly advancing AI technologies and opportunities for cooperation in critical minerals and nuclear energy.
The talks come as governments globally seek to establish frameworks for managing the economic opportunities and risks associated with increasingly powerful AI systems.
Critical Minerals on the Agenda
US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said Rubio and Ruto discussed Kenya’s potential in the critical minerals sector.
According to Pigott, the two sides explored how Kenya’s mineral resources could position the country as a key player while creating opportunities for US companies to support value addition.
The discussions form part of broader efforts to expand economic cooperation beyond traditional trade and investment sectors.
Somalia, Haiti and Sudan Discussed
Regional security was also a major focus of the meeting.
Ruto said the two leaders discussed sustaining the security mission in Somalia, supporting stability in Haiti and responding to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan.
“We discussed sustaining the security mission in Somalia, supporting stability in Haiti, and addressing the worsening humanitarian crisis in Sudan through efforts towards a ceasefire, political settlement and continued regional engagement,” Ruto said.
Kenya has played a role in international security efforts in both Haiti and Somalia, making the two issues central to its engagement with Washington.
The Sudan crisis also remains a major regional concern, with diplomatic efforts focused on securing a ceasefire and political settlement.
US Hails Kenya Health Partnership
Rubio also expressed appreciation for Kenya’s partnership with the US Government in implementing the America First Global Health Strategy.
The strategy seeks to establish a new framework for the longstanding health partnership between Kenya and the United States.
Health cooperation has traditionally been an important component of Kenya-US relations, alongside trade, security and development assistance.
Kenya-US Partnership Expands
The Ruto-Rubio meeting comes as Kenya continues to position itself as a key US partner in Africa.
The two countries’ cooperation now spans trade, investment, security, technology, health, energy and regional diplomacy.
The discussions in New York underline efforts by both governments to broaden the relationship into emerging areas such as AI and critical minerals while maintaining cooperation on security challenges affecting Africa and beyond.
