US-China Economic and Security Review Commission released its 2022 report accusing China of using Kenyan ports to advance its military agenda, three months into President William Ruto’s tenure.
Washington accused China of investing heavily in Mombasa and Lamu Ports in a report tabled to US congress. The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission read a sinister move behind the investment plans.
“The two upgraded ports offer China strategic commercial and trade advantages and also provide it with “dual-use” potential for military functions,” US claimed.
US further accused China of advancing a military agenda in guise of promoting peace.
“While promoting itself as a peace broker, China seeks opportunities to expand its military presence and promote its role as a strong yet helpful partner in Africa,” US Congress was told.
The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission report became the first such allegation to be tabled during Ruto’s tenure.
In 2021, US Department of Defence released a statement accusing China of eyeing Kenya as potential country to establish a military base.
“The information is false…totally false,” the Chinese embassy, however, vehemently denied US allegations back then.
China termed the report as as a strategy borrowed from the cold-war playbook as an underhand tactic to score trade and investment deals.
The latest report from US came at a time when President William Ruto is seen to be warming up to the West unlike his predecessor, former president Uhuru Kenyatta who cultivated strong ties with Beijing.
Ruto, while meeting US delegation at State House on October 2022, stated that “Kenya is ready for more trade deals with the US under the AGOA programme."
China on the other hand has invested heavily in Kenya with keynote infrastructural projects like Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) and Nairobi Expressway.
The two economic giants have been battling for trade and investment deals under Kenya’s new administration.
