Trade will continue to define America-Kenya relations

Against all odds and widespread predictions to the contrary, maverick real estate billionaire and Republican Donald Trump was recently elected as the 45th president, humbling favourite Democratic Party contender, former First Lady Hillary Rodham Clinton.

Indeed, the election year has been an unprecedented tough period for the US as the campaigns nearly tore the country down the middle. This was because of some of Trump’s controversial election pledges, like saying he would expel large numbers of immigrants and place all Muslims under surveillance. At an international level, many leaders and ordinary citizens fear Trump might alienate America from the rest of the world politically, socially and economically.

Well, after all is said and done, the die has been cast. By all intents and purposes, the world has to live with the reality a Trump presidency regardless of the prevailing sentiments. For Kenya, the best we can do is to play it like the Americans, by being strategic and carry on pursuing our best interests. The US remains a giant on whose shoulders we should continue riding on to achieve Vision 2030 and the United Nations Social Development Goals.

Kenya and the US have deep historical ties. The two countries established diplomatic relations in 1964, following Kenya’s independence from Britain in December 1963. The two have since enjoyed cordial relations and an enduring strategic partnership. Both countries belong to a number of the same international organisations, including the UN, International Monetary Fund, World Bank and the World Trade Organisation. This bond is crucial to their interests as each seeks to bargain for certain economic and political concessions at a global level.

Secondly, Kenya is among America’s top 10 trading partners in Africa. According to data from the US Department of Commerce, US exports to Kenya in 2014 rose to $1.5 billion (Sh137.46 billion) from $594.5 million (Sh54.4 billion) the previous year, representing a 165.3 per cent jump. Over the same period, Kenya’s exports to the US grew by 26 per cent to Sh47.3 billion ($520 million), one of the highest in sub-Saharan Africa. The growing business interest has helped improve political relations between the two countries.

Over the decades, Kenya has been a major recipient of US multi-billion foreign development assistance, most of which has been channelled through the US Agency for International Development (USAID). This assistance is currently built around four US policy strategic objectives, including strengthening democratic institutions; spurring economic growth, trade and investment; advancing peace and security; and promoting opportunity and development. There is hardly any sector in the country that has not benefitted significantly from America’s assistance.

Kenya’s continued relationship with America is based on USAID’s blueprint titled, “Country Development Cooperation Strategy 2014-18” (CDCS). Furthermore, Kenya is an anchor for America’s overall strategy and initiatives for sub-Saharan Africa in food security, trade, climate change, maternal and child health, HIV/Aids, malaria, education, biodiversity and energy.

Overall, this partnership includes cooperation on countering violent extremism emanating out of Somalia, building resilience to drought emergencies throughout the Horn of Africa, and supporting Kenya’s leadership in African regional organisations such as the East African Community. Indeed, Kenya can benefit with some lobbying by the US among its African allies in its campaign to have Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Amina Mohamed elected as chair of the African Union.

Kenya and the US are yet to tackle challenges and fully exploit opportunities in seeking common development, diplomatic, economic and security objectives. This should be the overarching basis for any current and future relationship, something I am sure President Trump will work towards protecting and enhancing. It is time to move on to a greater future.