NAIROBI, Kenya – A single sentence in President William Ruto’s April speech in Beijing — hailing Kenya and China as “co-architects of a new world order” — has sparked unexpected diplomatic fallout, prompting the United States to reassess Kenya’s coveted designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA).
The remark, delivered during a state visit to China, was interpreted in Washington as a potential pivot away from Kenya’s traditional partners and long-standing military cooperation with the U.S.
The backlash was swift. U.S. Senator Jim Risch, a senior member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, publicly questioned Nairobi’s foreign policy direction in light of the President’s statement.
Now, the Trump administration is reportedly reviewing Kenya’s MNNA status — a classification granted to close allies outside NATO that offers benefits like priority access to U.S. military equipment and joint defense research.
But critics argue that re-evaluating such a vital relationship over one sentence is short-sighted and unfair.
“Kenya is Not a Vassal”
Martin Kimani, former Kenyan Permanent Representative to the UN and current President & CEO of The Africa Center in New York, was among the first to push back against the U.S. reaction.
In a statement, Kimani described the diplomatic tension as an overreaction, calling Kenya a “proudly non-aligned” state whose only allegiance is to African unity and self-determination.
“Real allies, or good friends, should not be judged on the basis of a single line in a speech,” Kimani wrote. “Unless the point is that being a MNNA is an allegiance to Washington, reversed by a single visit to Beijing.”
Now comes a review of Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally. But real allies, or good friends, should not be judged on the basis of a single line in a speech. Unless the point is that being a MNNA is an allegiance to Washington, reversed by a single visit to Beijing
He warned against misinterpreting Kenya’s multilateral engagement as a betrayal, emphasizing that Nairobi’s foreign policy is rooted in independence, Pan-Africanism, and democratic principles — not in geopolitical rivalry.
A History of Sacrifice and Solidarity
Kimani underscored the depth of U.S.-Kenya cooperation, particularly in the fight against terrorism.
Following the 1998 U.S. Embassy bombing in Nairobi that claimed over 200 Kenyan lives, Kenya has been a frontline partner in countering extremism in the region.
That partnership now includes the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti — a controversial mission initially anchored in Pan-African solidarity but later backed heavily by the U.S.
Two Kenyan officers have died during the mission, underscoring the real sacrifices made in support of international stability.
“Kenya’s support for Haiti started as a Pan-Africanist effort… but it was also backed and coordinated with the US,” Kimani noted. “This should NOT be confused as an act of vassalage.”
Two have paid the ultimate price on the streets of Port-au- Prince. Kenya’s support for Haiti started as a Pan Africanist effort. This is its pride, and, I pray, its legacy. But it was also backed and coordinated with the US. This should NOT be confused as an act of vassalage
U.S. Review Welcomed — But With Caution
Kimani welcomed the review of Kenya’s MNNA status, suggesting it could clarify whether Nairobi has pledged undue allegiance to any foreign capital — “Beijing, London, Paris, Abu Dhabi, Ankara, or Washington DC.” His answer: none.
“Kenya is a democracy struggling to deliver justice and opportunity to its people, and to think for itself,” he said. “The major powers circle, waiting to pounce. They should back off.”
Kenya is a democracy struggling to deliver justice and opportunity to its people, and to think for itself. The major powers circle, waiting to pounce. They should back off. The best friend any of them can have is in an independent, democratic, and prosperous Kenya, not a vassal
Principled Foreign Policy
Kenya’s official positions, he added, remain firmly rooted in international law and justice — including support for a two-state solution in the Israel-Palestine conflict and a UN-mandated referendum in Western Sahara.
“No Kenyan leader or diplomat who suggests [foreign] alliance by word or deed should receive anything but the harshest condemnation,” Kimani wrote. “Kenya stands for independence and self-determination.”
As Kenya juggles competing interests from global powers, the diplomatic storm over Ruto’s Beijing remark reveals the high stakes — and tightrope — of modern African diplomacy.
Kenya is not a vassal state and has not abandoned multilateralism to be a pawn in a new Cold War. No Kenyan leader or diplomat who suggests such alliance by word or deed should receive anything but the harshest condemnation. Kenya stands for independence and self-determination
