The United States has committed to money that will go into strengthening Kenya's democracy and securing free and fair elections.
In a dispatch by the White House in the wake of President William Ruto's three-day State Visit to the US, President Joe Biden's administration promised to support Kenya in a raft or areas.
During the visit, the two countries affirmed their bilateral ties and signed deals worth billions of shillings aimed at supporting an array of sectors in Kenya.
The US administration said it will provide $1.5 million, approximately Sh190 million, that will help the country strengthen its frameworks for free and fair elections.
The money will go towards financing activities in key sectors of democracy including building capacity for political parties and supporting the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission.
"Working with Congress, the Administration intends to provide $1.5 million in new technical assistance to support Kenya’s electoral legal framework reform process aimed at strengthening the election commission, political parties, and campaign finance," the White House said.
According to the White House, the funding aims to improve public awareness raising and advocacy around the reforms and laying the groundwork for a more inclusive, transparent and peaceful 2027 election.
"This support complements Kenya’s amendment to the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission Act, which passed the National Assembly on May 3 and is now with the Senate," the White House said.
During the official state reception, Biden said that Ruto's State Visit highlights new areas of cooperation to safeguard rights and freedoms.
He said the partnership comes in the face of rising authoritarianism, expands avenues for dialogue, and elevates our shared global commitment to protecting democracy.
"Our countries endeavour to guard against the erosion of political checks and balances, counter misinformation and disinformation, mitigate hate-fueled violence targeting members of vulnerable communities, and tackle corruption by building transparent and accountable governance systems," he said.
The White House said that Kenya and the United States commit to bilateral dialogues that reinforce commitments to human rights, as well as a series of security and human rights technical engagements.
The engagements will be between the Kenyan military, police, and Ministry of Foreign Affairs aimed at strengthening collaboration on security sector governance, atrocity prevention, and Women, Peace and Security in Kenya and regionally.
