Koech: Kenya not changing allegiance to China

Defence, Intelligence & Foreign Relations committee Chair Nelson Koech at the Mini Chambers, County Hall, Nairobi. January 10, 2025. [Elvis Ogina, Standard] Belgut lawmaker Nelson Koech has moved to assure the United States that Kenya is not switching allegiance to China, clarifying that Nairobi only sought a more significant say on the world stage. In a letter to Jim Risch, a US senator from Idaho who chairs the Foreign Relations Committee, Koech said President William Ruto's reference to China as "co-architects of a new world order" was taken out of context. Koech, who chairs the National Assembly's Defence and Foreign Relations Committee, said Dr Ruto's remarks "must be viewed as an assertion of Africa's right to shape its future, not as a pivot in allegiance." "Kenya is calling for a more just global system -one where Africa contributes meaningfully to international governance and economic policy," the Belgut Member of Parliament said in a letter dated May 19. "This aspiration mirrors President Trump's push for reform within global institutions. From the United Nations to the World Trade Organisation, his administration consistently questioned outdated structures and demanded fairer terms for American interests. Kenya is asking for the same not to dismantle multilateralism, but to rebuild it on principles of equity and shared responsibility," he added. Koech was responding to a statement by Risch during a recent Senate hearing that the US should reassess its relationship with Kenya in light of Ruto's remarks, which the President made during a state visit to China last month. "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. 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," said Risch. "Still, there are countries where meaningful engagement is possible-but only with sober judgment and clear-eyed realism. We must stop building U.S. policy in Africa around individual leaders and instead focus on strengthening institutions, expanding private sector ties, and empowering the region's young and dynamic populations," the US senator added. Koech urged a respectful reassessment that "recognises sovereignty, agency, and mutual benefit. Kenya is not walking away from the United States. We are widening our diplomatic space, as every nation has the right to do." "With the utmost respect, your framing of Kenya's current foreign policy posture, particularly to China, appears to overlook the depth, consistency, and achievements of the U.S.-Kenya partnership. I believe it is necessary to remind ourselves of the broader and richer context of this relationship," added the MP. He highlighted the partnership between the two states in sectors like security and counterterrorism (which saw Kenya designated a major non-NATO ally), climate and trade, saying that Kenya was pursuing pro-African positions in its engagements. He invited the Senate Foreign Relations Committee to Kenya. A presentation by Joshua Meservey, a Senior Fellow, Hudson Institute, before the committee highlighted Kenya's importance to the US and urged Washington to upgrade its abilities to support African governments and civic institutions. The continent continues to attract global players, most of which exploit Africa's natural resources. "Institutions are generally stabilising forces and will often outlast even the longest-serving rulers. Washington should maintain working ties with regional leaders, but overreliance makes the U.S. vulnerable. Kenya, for instance, is an important country, and there are opportunities to work with President Ruto. Yet he was also recently in Beijing proclaiming his commitment to refashioning the global order, a project that is core to the Chinese government's efforts to supplant the U.S. globally," said Meservey.

Koech: Kenya not changing allegiance to China

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