U.S. President Joe Biden is set to extend major non-NATO ally status to Kenya.
Kenya would be the first sub-Saharan African country to receive the designation.
The designation is granted by the United States of America to close, non-NATO partners that have strategic working associations with the US military.
According to Politico, the new status is an advancement in the relationship between the two countries and one that could give Washington greater leverage in East Africa.
Kenya is part of the Ukraine Defense Contact Group, a coalition of about 50 countries that meet regularly to coordinate on how best to arm Ukraine against Russia.
“If any country in Africa that does not already have the status has a prima facie case for being designated a major non-NATO ally, it is Kenya,” J. Peter Pham, a former top Africa official in the Trump administration is quoted.
President William Ruto is in the U.S. for a three-day state visit.
He has met with Joe Biden and discussed several economic and security issues.
One key issue is the deployment of Kenyan police officers to Haiti.
In March 2024, Ruto pledged to send 1000 police officers to Haiti.
The police officers will lead the Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti meant to stabilise the country.
“From Kenya, we are ready for this deployment, and I request all the other partners across the globe to step up so that we can respond in good time,” said Ruto.
The Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti was authorised by the United Nations Security Council.
This was on October 2, 2023, under Resolution 2699.
Biden will host Ruto and First Lady Rachel Ruto, at the White House on May 23.
This is to mark the 60th anniversary of U.S.-Kenya diplomatic relations.
