US senator Jim Risch voices fresh concerns over Kenya’s ties with China

Idaho Republican senator Jim Risch has raised fresh concerns over Kenya’s cosy relationship with China, warning that it could jeopardise the country’s newly granted status as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States.

Senator Jim Risch, who chairs the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, said on Wednesday, May 21, 2025, that Kenya’s deepening diplomatic and economic ties with China could pose a risk to its strategic relationship with the United States.

In a statement shared on his official X account, Risch pointed out that while Kenya plays an important role in regional counterterrorism and stability, its close engagement with China sends a worrying message.

He noted that as a key U.S. ally in Africa, Kenya’s foreign policy choices matter. He argued that working closely with China, America’s main global competitor, could compromise U.S. interests in the region.

The senator stressed that what he called Kenya’s widened diplomacy with China does not reflect a traditional alliance. Instead, he warned, it is a risk that the United States must carefully consider.

“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. “Widened diplomacy” with America’s greatest competitor is not an alliance—it’s a risk for the U.S. to assess,” Risch remarked.

Kenya’s allegiance

Risch’s warning comes just weeks after he urged the U.S. government to reevaluate its relationship with Kenya following remarks made by President William Ruto during a recent state visit to Beijing.

While in China, President Ruto delivered a speech in which he criticised global financial institutions like the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for favouring wealthy nations.

He pointed out that during the most recent Special Drawing Rights (SDR) allocation by the IMF, a large portion of funds went to countries that did not need financial support, while poor nations received very little.

Ruto said this inequality proved that the current global system is no longer serving developing countries effectively. He argued that Kenya and China are not just trade partners but are working together to shape a new, fairer international system.

“This anomaly became glaring during the IMF SDR issuance, where 64 per cent of the allocation ended up with wealthy countries that did not need liquidity support. The poorest countries, which needed it most, received only 2.4 per cent,” Ruto said

Adding

“Kenya and China are not merely trade partners; we are co-architects of a new world order—one that is fair, inclusive, and sustainable.”

These comments drew backlash from Risch, who told the Senate Foreign Relations Committee that Ruto’s speech went beyond ordinary diplomacy. According to him, it amounted to pledging allegiance to China. He submitted the full text of the president’s speech to the committee as part of the official record.

“Just last month, President Ruto declared that Kenya, a major non-NATO ally, and China are ‘co-architects of a new world order.”That’s not just alignment to China; it’s allegiance,” he stated.

Adding;

“I submit for the record the text of that speech. 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 senator said it is dangerous for the U.S. to rely on leaders who are openly aligning with Beijing. He insisted that the U.S. must reconsider its strategy toward Kenya and other African nations that are drawing closer to China.

Risch also called on the U.S. government, specifically the Trump administration, to rethink how it engages with African countries. He said American foreign policy should not be built around individual leaders but instead focus on strengthening democratic institutions and creating opportunities for youth and the private sector.

He emphasised that the U.S. must approach Africa with realism and long-term strategy. According to him, investing in strong institutions and empowering the continent’s young population will help create lasting partnerships that benefit both Africa and the United States.

Risch said the moment presents both a serious challenge and a significant opportunity. By aligning U.S. strategy and spending with Africa’s potential, he believes the two sides could build a future that enhances peace, prosperity, and security for both.