The United States Government continued to strengthen its cooperation with Kenya on Saturday, December 17, as high-ranking military leaders held a high-profile meeting with National Security Advisor Monica Juma.
Monica Juma met U.S. Africa Command’s (AFRICOM) General Michael Langley and Ambassador Robert Scott to discuss the security situation in Kenya and East Africa in general.
The meeting came a day after US President Joe Biden invited President William Ruto for a state visit.
Additionally, this meeting came hot on the heels of Defence Cabinet Secretary Aden Duale’s visit to the Pentagon where he held a profile meeting with the US Secretary of Defence.
AFRICOM, which is responsible for military relations with nations and regional organisations in Africa remarked that there was a need to firm up the relationship between the two nations.
“Talks centred on enhancing U.S.-Kenya ties, security collaboration, and regional partnerships in East Africa,” AFRICOM noted in a statement.
The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference which is a world forum for debate on international security.
The United States has been cultivating close relations with Kenya as Uganda and other East African countries continue to be isolated by the American government.
Noteworthy, the meeting between Juma and AFRICOM occurred the same day that the United States accused Rwanda of fanning violence in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Uganda has also been isolated by Washington due to its tough stance on gay rights.
US Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on February 16, remarked that Joe Biden’s administration was keen on forging a strong partnership with President William Ruto’s government and the people of Kenya.
“The visit will strengthen our shared commitment to advance peace and security, expand our economic ties, and stand together in defence of democratic values,” Jean-Pierre remarked of the proposed state visit.
Kenya is among the few countries in the continent that is helping the United States in its fight against Houthi rebels in the Red Sea as well as in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Kenya is part of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group as well as Operation Prosperity Guardian, an international maritime task force launched by the U.S. in response to Houthi attacks against vessels operating in the Red Sea.
