Ruto defends China trade relations amid US Senate scrutiny of Kenya’s global ties

President William Ruto has defended Kenya’s deepening trade ties with China, even as the United States Senate seeks a review of Washington’s decision to designate Kenya a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA), citing what it calls an “undesired dalliance with an enemy.”

Speaking on Wednesday during the Presidential Private Sector Roundtable at the Ole Sereni Hotel in Nairobi, Ruto said Kenya’s engagement with China is motivated by the need to expand markets for its exports, not by ideological alignment.

“We have concluded the high-level conversation with China. They have agreed to a reciprocal arrangement between Kenya and China. They have agreed to remove all the tariffs on our tea, coffee, avocado, and other agricultural exports. That’s a major breakthrough for us,” he said.

Ruto acknowledged that the evolving relationship had caused discomfort among some of Kenya’s traditional Western allies, but maintained that his administration’s priority is to advance the country’s economic interests.

“It’s partly why I have a bit of a problem with some of our friends, but it is what I must do for Kenya. It is in the best interest of Kenya that we get into this market. Some of our friends are complaining that we are doing too much trade with China,” he said.

The President added that he had raised concerns about the trade imbalance between Kenya and China in direct talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

“When I sat with President Xi, we had a very candid conversation. I told him that Kenya is importing Sh600 billion of products from China, but only sending about five per cent of our exports there. That’s a serious trade imbalance… that’s why they have opened up their market for our agricultural products,” Ruto said.

Diversifying trade partnerships

He emphasised that Kenya’s outreach to China should not be interpreted as a realignment of its global alliances, but rather as part of a broader strategy to diversify its trade partnerships.

“We are progressing conversations with India. We are good with Turkey and Canada,” he said.

Ruto’s remarks came a day after US Senator Jim Risch, the top Republican on the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced an amendment seeking to compel the Trump administration to review Kenya’s MNNA status.

Risch accused Kenya of aligning itself with countries considered adversaries of the United States, including China, Russia, and Iran. He also expressed concern over Kenya’s involvement in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, warning that it signals a closer alignment with America’s strategic rivals.

Probe Kenya-RSF ties

The Senator is also calling for an investigation into Kenya’s alleged ties with extremist groups such as Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and Somalia’s Al-Shabaab.

He further claims that Nairobi is serving as a financial haven for individuals and organisations designated by the US as terrorists—reportedly operating out of South Sudan, Sudan, Uganda, and Somalia.

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The proposed review will also examine whether US military and intelligence support to Kenya has been misused in activities that violate human rights, including abductions, torture, or violence against civilians.

Kenya was granted MNNA status in June 2024, a designation that offers significant defence and strategic benefits, such as priority access to US military equipment and increased security cooperation.

However, the Senate push underscores that the designation is not permanent—it depends on alignment with Washington’s foreign policy and national security priorities.