Kenya is once again at the centre of a high-stakes geopolitical dance, with the United States sending its fourth top official in just three months to Nairobi. This comes at a time when President William Ruto is actively wooing China, signalling a delicate balancing act in the country's foreign relations.
Ambassador Mike Hammer, the U.S. Special Envoy for the Horn of Africa (SEHOA), is slated to visit Kenya this month as part of a broader tour that includes Belgium and Ethiopia. The visit, according to a U.S. Department of State statement released late Tuesday, is aimed at discussing regional and security issues with Kenyan officials.
Why it matters: The timing of these visits is critical. They come in the wake of protests that rocked Kenya starting in mid-June and saw Kenyans challenged what they termed ‘US meddling in Kenyan affairs’ and coincide with President William Ruto’s visit to China. The U.S. appears to be keen on ensuring that its relationship with Kenya remains strong, even as President Ruto explores new avenues with other global powers.
Dig deeper: This marks yet another move in a series of diplomatic overtures by Washington towards Nairobi, highlighting the strategic significance the U.S. places on its relationship with Kenya.
Ambassador Hammer’s upcoming visit follows a series of high-profile U.S. diplomatic engagements with Kenya.
Just weeks ago, Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, Ambassador Bonnie D. Jenkins, made her way to Nairobi, becoming the third senior U.S. official to visit within a month.
Her visit was preceded by that of Under Secretary for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights, Uzra Zeya, who engaged in tough discussions about police brutality during Kenya’s recent protests.
The surge in American interest is unmistakable, with Senator Chris Murphy also making an appearance in Kenya recently to discuss U.S. investments with a broad array of Kenyan stakeholders.
Bigger picture: While Washington’s charm offensive continues, President Ruto is simultaneously pursuing a strategic relationship with China. In a significant shift, Ruto, who is currently on a charm offensive in Beijing, has opted to drop the French and court Chinese investment for key infrastructure projects. On Tuesday, during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Ruto revealed plans to secure Chinese funding for the dualling of the Nairobi-Malaba highway—an ambitious project initially awarded to a consortium of French firms under former President Uhuru Kenyatta.
This pivot towards China comes as Kenya faces mounting financial challenges. The country is heavily indebted, with nearly two-thirds of its annual revenue consumed by debt servicing. Despite this, Kenya is seeking more credit, hoping that Chinese investment will help to kickstart stalled projects and drive economic growth. President Ruto's move is seen as a calculated gamble, particularly given the growing concerns about China's lending practices in Africa.
China’s increasing influence in Africa is undeniable. Over the past two decades, Beijing has emerged as the continent’s largest trading partner, leveraging its economic clout to forge deep ties with African nations. Kenya has been no exception, with Chinese investments pouring into infrastructure, energy, and manufacturing sectors.
However, this growing relationship has not gone unnoticed by Washington. The flurry of visits by U.S. officials is widely seen as an attempt to counterbalance China's influence in Kenya and the broader East African region. The U.S. is particularly interested in maintaining its foothold in the Horn of Africa, a region plagued by instability but critical for global trade routes.
