WASHINGTON — Kenyan President William Ruto recently visited Washington, where he was welcomed with a red carpet and a special emissary, First Lady Dr. Jill Biden. This visit is part of an effort by the Biden administration to strengthen ties with Kenya, designated as a major non-NATO ally. This move is also seen as a counter to China’s growing influence in Africa, where the country has made significant investments through high-interest loans. The visit comes at a time when African nations are grappling with debt burdens from Chinese loans and are seeking opportunities for investment from Western nations and organizations like the World Bank.
China’s role in Africa has been significant over the past two decades, with the country lending billions of dollars to African nations for infrastructure projects. However, these loans come with high interest rates that have put many African countries in a difficult financial position. As a result, countries like Kenya are looking to diversify their sources of funding and are seeking support from creditor countries to ease their debt burdens. During his visit to Washington, Ruto emphasized the need for African leaders to seek lower-interest loans and support from Western nations and institutions.
The United States is also stepping in to address China’s influence in Africa. At the Group of 20 summit last year, the US and EU announced support for a rail corridor connecting Angola, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Zambia. This move is part of a broader effort to provide alternatives to Chinese investment in Africa and support the region’s development. During his meetings with President Biden, Ruto highlighted Africa as a region ripe for investment and emphasized the changing perceptions of the continent as a place of opportunity.
Ruto’s visit to Washington comes amid political instability in many African countries, with military coups and challenges to democratic governance. The goal of the state visit is to showcase the ability of democracies like Kenya to deliver for their people, despite the challenges they face. President Biden has expressed his commitment to Africa, particularly in the face of increased strategic influence from Russia and China. A presidential visit to Africa is planned for next year, as part of an ongoing effort to strengthen ties with African nations and showcase US support for the continent.
Kenya has emerged as a key ally for the US in the region, particularly in efforts to combat terrorism and support stability in neighboring countries like Somalia. The country has also participated in international missions to address security challenges, including deploying paramilitary police officers to Haiti. Despite challenges and uncertainties, Kenya’s engagement in international security efforts demonstrates its commitment to regional stability and partnership with the United States. The state visit to Washington signals the importance of Kenya as a strategic ally for the US in Africa and highlights the ongoing efforts to strengthen ties between the two countries.
