NAIROBI, Kenya — The United States has pledged to strengthen ties with Kenya across security, health, and trade, even as concerns linger over Washington’s withdrawal of funding for the Kenya-led mission in Haiti and the suspension of USAID operations.
US Chargé d’Affaires Susan Burns delivered the assurance on Monday during talks with National Assembly Speaker Moses Wetang’ula, praising Kenya’s leadership in global peace efforts.
“Kenya deserves immense credit for what it has done,” Burns said, singling out Nairobi’s intervention in Haiti. “The Haiti matter will be top of the agenda this week during the UN General Assembly.
We understand the concern over financial questions; it has been a struggle, but Kenya’s commitment has not gone unnoticed.”
Her remarks came after Wetang’ula pressed Washington to reconsider pulling financial support for the Haiti mission, which is being transitioned into a UN-led operation.
“There was anticipated financial support, there was a commitment, what happened? Kenya has done more than it needed to do,” the Speaker said.
Burns disclosed that President William Ruto is scheduled to meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, with the Haiti deployment and broader bilateral ties expected to dominate their discussions.
Aid Freeze and Health Impact
The Speaker also raised concern over the suspension of USAID activities in Kenya, warning of ripple effects on the health sector.
Burns responded that she had already held discussions with Treasury Cabinet Secretary John Mbadi and Health Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale on how to mitigate the disruption.
“Even before USAID’s withdrawal, Kenya had achieved epidemic control in HIV, which is an incredible milestone worth celebrating,” she said, adding that the US remains Kenya’s largest donor in health and humanitarian assistance.
Trade and Infrastructure
On trade, Wetang’ula criticized the 10 percent tariff imposed on Kenyan exports to the US, warning it could undermine growth.
Burns said the two countries were preparing for a “broad, comprehensive” trade deal once the US trade office gives the go-ahead.
The Speaker also reminded Washington of its earlier pledge to support the expansion of the Nairobi–Mombasa highway.
Burns, meanwhile, promised to encourage US tech companies to invest in Kenya’s creative industry, which she described as a “sleeping giant” for youth opportunities.
Regional Stability and Elections
Turning to regional security, Wetang’ula urged the US to adopt a more proactive role in stabilizing East Africa and beyond.
“The US, Kenya, and the UN are guarantors of South Sudan’s independence, but we have allowed it to degenerate into a failed state. We need serious international intervention,” he said, also pointing to ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and the EAC region.
Burns also sought assurances on electoral reforms ahead of Kenya’s 24 by-elections scheduled for November 27.
Wetang’ula admitted public mistrust in the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) remains a long-standing challenge.
“The mistrust of IEBC is historical and may not fade soon,” he said. “I have told them to pay fidelity to the law and deliver elections that are free for the voter and fair to the candidate.”
Kenya and the United States have maintained a partnership spanning security, trade, health, infrastructure, and tourism for decades.
Both sides stressed the importance of sustaining and expanding this relationship under the current administrations.
