Is Kenya's Status as Major Non-NATO Ally Threatened under Trump? General Michael Langley Answers
- In May 2024, former US president Joe Biden pledged to designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally
- The pledge came during President William Ruto’s historic state visit to Washington, the first for an African leader in 16 years
- In an exclusive interview with TUKO.co.ke, US-AFRICOM Commander General Michael Langley assured that Kenya’s status remains intact
TUKO.co.ke journalist Harry Ivan Mboto has over three years of experience reporting on politics and current affairs in Kenya
When President William Ruto strode down the White House lawn in May 2024, few could have imagined just how geopolitically significant the visit would become for Kenya.
Source: UGC
In a landmark pledge, the 46th US president Joe Biden committed to designating Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, making it the first country in Sub-Saharan Africa to receive such status.
The announcement came during Ruto’s three-day state visit to the United States, an event described as historic, given it was the first of its kind for an African head of state in 16 years.
Ruto, widely seen as a close ally of the Biden administration, drew both praise and criticism following the visit, with some African commentators branding him “a puppet of the West.”
During a joint address at the White House, Biden praised Kenya as an integral partner in the fight against terrorism particularly in East Africa, thus fit and ripe to join the NATO league.
It is out of this engagement that an agreement was reached to deploy Kenyan peacekeeping troops to Haiti.
However, uncertainty loomed after Donald Trump won the US presidential election in November 2024, ending the Democratic administration's tenure and ushering in Republicans leadership.
Known for his unpredictable foreign policy, Trump’s return sparked anxiety among observers in Kenya and across Africa, with many questioning whether Biden’s pledge would stand.
The concerns deepened in February when reports suggested the Trump administration had cut funding for the Haiti mission, claims the Kenyan government later dismissed as misleading.
Will US revoke Kenya's major non-NATO ally status?
To understand the country's current position, TUKO.co.ke spoke exclusively to General Michael Langley, commander of the US Africa Command (US-AFRICOM).
Langley allayed fears, confirming that Kenya’s designation as a major non-NATO ally remains intact despite the Trump administration.
He added that Kenya remains an important partner in the fight against terrorism in East Africa.
“Kenya remains a major non-NATO ally and the only one in Sub-Saharan Africa. It’s an important partner in the fight against terrorism, particularly in Somalia. Kenya has also played a critical role in restoring peace in many other countries where it has exported security, and we continue working together through shared values," said Langley.
Addressing reports that China may be planning to establish a military base along the East African coast, potentially challenging US military influence in the region, the four-star general said the US is closely monitoring the situation.
“We are not worried, but we are watching closely. Time will tell,” he said.
Source: UGC
How did USAID freeze affect Kenya?
In February, the Trump administration ordered a freeze on all foreign funding managed by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).
The move forced the agency to begin withdrawing staff and pausing global operations, sparking fear and disruption across many donor-reliant institutions.
Kenya was among the countries most affected, with over 230 institutions having received a combined KSh 84 billion in 2024 alone.
Key recipients included the University of Nairobi (KSh 1.2 billion), Moi University (KSh 589 million), and the Ruto-led national government, which received KSh 602 million.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
