Gachagua blasts Ruto over US Senate bill targeting Kenya’s non-NATO ally status
By Ascah Mwango, August 5, 2025Former Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has launched a blistering attack on President William Ruto after the United States proposed a review of Kenya’s recently granted Non-NATO Major Ally status.
The proposal, brought forward by Senator James Risch under the Trump administration, aims to reassess Kenya’s designation due to concerns over its foreign relations and ties to extremist groups. Kenya became the first sub-Saharan African country to receive the Non-NATO designation in June 2024 during President Ruto’s state visit to the US in May of that year. The title was seen as a major diplomatic win, strengthening Kenya’s defence, security, and economic ties with the United States.
In a statement posted on his X account on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Gachagua accused President Ruto of damaging the country’s reputation through what he termed as impunity and poor governance.
“The impunity in Kenya by Mr. William Ruto and his mafia has reached Washington through the Bill sponsored by Senator James Risch, Chairman of the US Foreign Relations Committee,” Gachagua said.
He claimed that the proposed Bill is based on links between the Kenyan government and armed extremist groups.
“This bill seeks review status of Kenya as a Non-NATO Major Ally status conferred on June 24, 2024, based on the relationships of the Government of Kenya and key officials of Kenya with non-state armed groups and violent extremist organisations, including the Rapid Support Forces and al-Shabaab,” he stated.
Gachagua further accused President Ruto’s administration of allowing Kenya to become a financial refuge for individuals and organisations under US sanctions.
“Under Mr. William Ruto, Kenya has become a financial haven for individuals and entities on the Office of Foreign Assets Control Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons list and foreign terrorist organisations, including individuals and entities based in some neighbouring countries,” he said.
He also expressed concern over the misuse of US security aid and intelligence.
“Again, the use, by the Government of Kenya, of the USA’s security assistance and intelligence support and sharing, including potential impacts on state and non-state sponsored actions against civilians to abduct, torture, rendition, and cause violence against civilians.”
SRSF
Gachagua reminded the President of previous warnings regarding Kenya’s ties to groups like the Sudanese Rapid Support Forces and al-Shabaab.
“Mr. William Ruto, we warned you on Sudan’s Rapid Support Services – RSF and al-Shabaab, we asked you to bar international crooks and foreign terrorist organisations and individuals from Kenya.”
He also called out the government’s human rights abuses.
“Mr. Ruto, Kenyans asked you to stop extrajudicial killings, unnecessary force and violence against civilians using state-sponsored militia, police brutality, forced abductions and disappearances, illegal detentions, and blatant abuse of human rights.”
Adding;
“Within 90-180 days, within which the Secretary of State, Secretary of Defence and Director of US National Intelligence will report back to the US Senate, I call on Kenyans to heighten advocacy to the International Community on the ills that are happening in the country until we have the Kenya we want.”
“I urge Kenyans living and working in the USA to reach out to their Senators with information and facts on what is happening to our beloved nation, Kenya.”
He warned that if the review leads to a downgrade, Kenya could lose vital partnerships.
“We will not sit pretty and watch our country slip into anarchy, cynicism, and dictatorship. Kenya stands to lose big in defence and security strategic partnerships in research, security training, defence, military support, regional security roles with the USA, and enhanced bilateral relations, ” Gachagua stated
“Mr. William Ruto must answer to the people of Kenya and take full responsibility for shaming our beloved country, Kenya.”
Bill
The proposal by Senator Risch is an amendment to the National Defence Authorisation Act for Fiscal Year 2026. It calls for a detailed review of Kenya’s foreign and military policies, especially regarding relations with countries such as China, Russia, and Iran.
According to an excerpt from the US Congress website:
“A detailed description of the military and security relationship of the Government of Kenya with the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and Iran, including any engagements, agreements, or joint activities since June 24, 2024.”
“A detailed description of the political and financial links of key political actors and institutions of Kenya with the People’s Republic of China, the Russian Federation, and Iran.”
The review will also assess Kenya’s possible connections to extremist groups such as al-Shabaab and RSF and whether US assistance has been used to violate human rights, including abductions, torture, and violence against civilians.
If passed, the US Secretary of State, Secretary of Defence, and Director of National Intelligence are expected to report their findings to the Senate within 90 to 180 days.
Losing the Non-NATO Major Ally designation could deal a significant blow to Kenya’s global standing and reduce access to military aid, security training, and strategic cooperation with the US.