Ruto US visit: Kenya secures security cooperation agreements

The gains made by President William Ruto's visit to the United States are starting to show with the signing of a series of security cooperation agreements that will see Nairobi receive equipment, funding, and Major Non-NATO Ally status as a result of deepened ties between the two states.

Founded in 1949 with 39 member states from Europe and North America, the Non-Northern Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) exists to protect its people and territories under the mantra that an attack on one nation is an assault on all.

Kenya becomes the first nation in the sub-Saharan region to receive such a designation and the 19th country to be named a major non-NATO ally. Three other countries on the African continent — Egypt, Morocco, and Tunisia — have already gained the status.

This now allows Kenya to enjoy enviable military and economic privileges from the US and engage in closer security cooperation amidst a longstanding partnership to fight the Al-Shabaab terrorist group and support the UN-backed Multinational Security Support Mission in Haiti.

Top on the list includes the long-pending delivery of 16 refurbished US-manufactured helicopters (8 Hueys and 8 MD-500s) by September next year, to bolster Kenya's ability to provide regional peace and security and participate in peacekeeping missions.

The air assets will help fill a gap occasioned by recent crashes, including the latest one that killed Chief of Defence Forces General Francis Ogolla and nine others in April.

At the same time, Kenya has procured 150 M1117 Armored Security Vehicles from US Excess Defense Article stocks, which are projected to arrive in Kenya this September, as part of the government's security modernisation program that saw the National Police Service receive the second batch of 10 Mine Resistant-Ambush Protected (MRAP) Vehicles from South Africa last week and the first batch in March.

In regards to capacity development, the US military has posted seven advisors to Nairobi to support Kenyan aviators and Strategic Logistics support to the Ministry of Defence.

White House, Washington, D.C., United States of America. pic.twitter.com/mL0fnuGt0Y

— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) May 23, 2024

At the same time, a new $2.2 million fund to implement priority reforms that will improve oversight and conditions of Kenyan prisons has been agreed upon.

Kenya will also benefit from $4.9 million in funding for East African countries to improve cooperation and coordination in combating criminal networks and holding criminals accountable. Funding also supports capacity-building and reform efforts within the Kenyan police and justice sectors.

The United States and Kenya are also partnering in building a strong asylum system and on the social and economic integration of refugees and host communities under the Shirika plan.

An anti-piracy workshop is currently ongoing in Kenya to help shield the Horn of Africa region against the spread of pirate attacks following their resurgence in the Gulf of Aden.

In the fight against terror, the State Department Bureau of Counterterrorism announced $8.7 million to help build the Kenyan criminal justice system's ability to address terrorism threats in a manner consistent with the rule of law.

The funds provide training, mentorship, and equipment to investigators, forensic examiners, law enforcement, court officials, and prosecutors.

Select units in the National Police Service have in the past received specialised training to investigate and counter terrorism in the country. They include the all-women Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team and the all-female ranger unit of the Kenya Wildlife Services, both of which are specially trained for their front-line roles.

A planned expansion of the US-based Manda Bay camp in Lamu will lead to the construction of a 10,000-foot runway, all in an effort to increase operations against Al-Shabaab.

"The US-Kenya partnership plays a central role in international efforts to defeat Al-Shabaab, ISIS elements based in East Africa, and other terrorist organisations," the White House added.

Additionally, Kenya is in the process of joining Operation Gallant Phoenix, a program that advances multinational collaboration and sharing of terrorist information to build mutual capacity to collect and use battlefield evidence in civilian criminal justice proceedings in a multiagency, multinational setting.

"These initiatives should help both countries better protect our borders and our citizens from terrorist actors," a statement from the White House said.