Senator Jim Risch, chairman of the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee/X
US Senator and Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman Jim Risch has sustained his calls for a review of ties with Kenya over what he claims is the country's dalliance with China.
For the second time on Thursday, Senator Risch questioned the close China-Kenya ties, particularly with its US Major Non-NATO Ally designation
“Kenya plays a vital role in regional counterterrorism and
stability. But as our newest Major Non-NATO Ally, Kenya's ties with China are
troubling,” Senator Risch said in post on his official X handle.
"Widened diplomacy with America's greatest
competitor is not an alliance—it’s a risk for the US to assess”.
The top Republican senator was responding to a meeting between officials of the ruling UDA party and Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan on Tuesday.
The envoy met UDA chairperson and Embu Governor Cecily
Mbarire, secretary general Omar Hassan and executive director
Nicodemus Bore.
Following the meeting, Ambassador Guo said party-to-party
communication is a crucial component of China-Kenya bilateral relations.
“We expressed our commitment to actively implement the
consensus reached by our leaders, and would strengthen collaboration in sharing
governance and party-building experiences between China and Kenya,” Guo said.
UDA in a press release said the meeting focused on enhancing
bilateral cooperation between China and Kenya, as well as fostering relations
between the countries’ two ruling parties — the Communist Party of China and
UDA.
It added the meeting served as a follow-up to the secretary
general Hassan’s recent visit to China, reinforcing commitments made and
exploring avenues for practical implementation.
“Both parties affirmed their commitment to continued
collaboration within the framework of mutual respect and strategic partnership,”
UDA said.
The CCP and UDA have intensified relations since President
William Ruto came to power, with the two sides exchanging high-level visits.
This is part of complementing the bilateral ties between the two states at the Executive level, which has not sat well with certain quarters in Washington.
Kenya is also officially seeking to join BRICS, a bloc of states challenging US-led world order.
Last week at a Senate hearing on East Africa and the Horn on
Tuesday, Senator Risch said President Ruto's remarks Beijing to the effect that
China and Kenya are “co-architects of a new world order“ signalled a shift
in allegiance.
"That’s not just alignment to China; it’s allegiance,” Senator
Risch told the committee.
“Relying on leaders who embrace Beijing so openly is an
error. It’s time to reassess our relationship with Kenya and others who forge
tight bonds with China,” the Republican Senator said.
His counterpart in the Kenya’s National Assembly Foreign
Affairs, Defence and Intelligence Committee Nelson Koech has since replied through
an official letter, saying Kenya’s position must be viewed as an assertion of
Africa’s right to shape its future.
“Kenya is calling for a more just global system — one where
Africa contributes meaningfully to international governance and economic
policy,” he said in a letter dated May 19.
“If there is a reassessment to be made, then let it be one
that recognises sovereignty, agency and mutual benefit. Kenya is not walking
away from the United States. We are widening our diplomatic space — as every
nation has the right to do,” Koech said.
Foreign Affairs CS Musalia Mudavadi said on Tuesday he has written to the senator, explaining Kenya’s position.
Mudavadi, however, made it clear Kenya is a sovereign
state that has the right to choose its friends and how to work with them.
