Africa-Press – Kenya. The government has formally written to the United States Senator Jim Risch explaining Kenya’s position during President William Ruto’s recent visit to China.
This is after the Senator warned that Kenya’s close ties with Beijing could jeopardise its relationship with President Donald Trump’s administration. In his speech, Risch questioned Kenya’s loyalty to the US.
The Senator expressed displeasure over Kenya’s deepening ties with China, particularly in light of Ruto’s declaration that Kenya and China are “co-architects of a new world order”.
However, Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, Musalia Mudavadi, yesterday clarified that Kenya was a sovereign state and had the right to enter into agreements independently without external interference.
Mudavadi, who spoke during an interview with Citizen TV on Tuesday, May 20, said Kenya would safeguard its sovereignty and would continue to work with both nations regardless of the criticism.
The CS, while addressing the matter, said Ruto’s sentiments in Beijing, in which he stated that Kenya and China were the “co-architects of a new world order”, were taken out of context.
To set the record straight, Mudavadi said he wrote a letter to the Senator to explain Kenya’s position on China ties and to help him appreciate the context in which the statement was made.
“No matter our size or state of nation, there is one thing that we must always safeguard, the sovereignty of our nation, the right to choose our friends and how to work with our friends, that is a principle that we must always uphold,” Mudavadi stated.
“I have written a formal letter to the Senator explaining Kenya’s position and getting him to appreciate the context in which the statement he is alluding to was made,” he added.
According to the CS, while the US Senator’s comments were critical, Kenya would prioritise its national interests and work to sustain mutually beneficial partnerships with all countries.
“Global politics is dynamic and decisions are made for certain reasons at certain times, but as far as Kenya is concerned, we look at our national interest and work to sustain mutually beneficial partnerships with all countries,” the CS commented.
Meanwhile, Risch, who spoke on May 15, said Ruto’s comments in Beijing suggested a significant shift in Kenya’s foreign relations with Washington, with the Senator warning that relying on Kenya as an ally could be detrimental to the US.
“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,” Risch said.
“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,” he added.
For More News And Analysis About Kenya Follow Africa-Press
