William Ruto Hosts US Delegation Amid US Senate Scrutiny, Gachagua Allegations: “Key Partner”
- President William Ruto met a high-level US delegation at State House as Washington reaffirmed Kenya’s central role in its Africa policy
- The visit came amid a US Senate review of Kenya’s status as a major non-NATO ally, granted in June 2024
- Acting US Ambassador Carla Benini praised Kenya’s governance alignment and highlighted partnerships in energy, agriculture, technology, and the creative economy
- Ruto welcomed deeper ties, citing Kenya’s 90% renewable energy output and plans to hit 100% by 2030 through joint projects
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Didacus Malowa, a journalist at TUKO.co.ke, brings over three years of experience covering politics and current affairs in Kenya.
President William Ruto met a high-level US delegation at State House, Nairobi, as Washington reaffirmed Kenya’s place at the heart of its Africa policy.
Source: Facebook
The Monday, August 11, visit came days after the US Senate launched a review of Kenya’s designation as a major non-NATO ally, a status granted in June 2024.
The review, initiated through a bill sponsored by Senate Foreign Relations Committee Chair James Risch, will assess Kenya’s eligibility amid heightened scrutiny over governance, security, and human rights issues.
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Acting US Ambassador to Kenya Carla Benini said Kenya would remain Washington’s first point of engagement in Africa, describing the partnership as anchored on shared values.
"Kenya, as you know, sir, remains central to our US-Africa policy. When we do something in Africa, we do it in Kenya first, and there's a reason for that. It's because of our shared interests and alignment on governance, on rule of law, and democracy.
I think this delegation represents the breadth and depth of the people-to-people partnership, as well as a subnational partnership. So the embassy will always stand ready to support states and cities, etc., who come to visit us, because our interest is really shared prosperity for Kenyans and Americans alike," she told Ruto.
The US Embassy Charge d'Affaires noted strong collaboration in green energy, agriculture, technology, and the creative economy.
Benini said the delegation, which included California State Secretaries and private sector leaders led by State Secretary of Transportation Toks Omishakin, was exploring opportunities with Kenyan counties, citing recent exchanges between Eldoret and Minneapolis-St. Paul.
How did Ruto respond to Benini's sentiments?
Ruto welcomed the engagement, saying Kenya’s renewable energy output had reached 90% and was targeting 100% by 2030.
The president also highlighted ongoing efforts to position Kenya as a continental leader in climate action.
He said the Africa Climate Summit in Ethiopia next month would consolidate African voices and strategies on green energy, environmental preservation, and joint innovation projects.
Source: Twitter
Ruto added that collaboration with US states like California would allow Kenyan youth to access new markets, mentorship, and technology transfers.
He emphasised that blending Silicon Valley’s expertise with Africa’s creativity and resourcefulness would generate jobs, drive innovation, and foster shared prosperity.
"We appreciate that you have chosen Kenya as part of your footprint around our continent, and I promise you on behalf of these good people here, colleagues from Kenya, that we are ready, we are willing, we are available to partner and to see what we can do together in a mutually beneficial engagement between our two countries.
We are very proud of the relationship between Kenya and the United States, and we will continue to forge a relationship both at the bilateral level and all the way to what we can do collectively as the family of nations, because we believe in the values of freedom of democracy, which underpin what Kenya stands for," Ruto said.
What are Gachagua's claims against Ruto?
The meeting came against a backdrop of former deputy president Rigathi Gachagua, currently in the US, accusations against Ruto of dealings with Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Somalia’s al-Shabaab.
Gachagua told a forum in Kansas City that he was cooperating with US authorities in their probe into Ruto’s alleged ties with RSF leader Mohamed Hamdan Dagalo, also known as Hemedti, and claims of arms supplies to the group.
He alleged Ruto had hosted RSF leadership in Nairobi, angering Khartoum, and held secret meetings with al-Shabaab operatives in Mandera.
Gachagua also criticised Ruto’s suspension of vetting for North Eastern residents' Kenyan identification documents, saying it exposed global security to risk.
Proofreading by Jackson Otukho, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
