On Monday, U.S. President Joe Biden designated Kenya as a “major non-NATO ally,” marking it the first sub-Saharan African nation to receive this status.
“By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including section 517 of the Foreign Assistance Act of 1961, as amended (22 U.S.C. 2321k) (the “Act”), I hereby designate Kenya as a Major Non-NATO Ally of the United States for the purposes of the Act and the Arms Export Control Act,” stated a White House memorandum.
Biden initially announced the decision in May during a state visit with Kenyan President William Ruto at the White House, celebrating six decades of bilateral relations.
This move comes as Washington aims to counter the increasing influence of Russia and China in the region in Africa.
Biden highlighted Nairobi’s cooperation with U.S. national security priorities, including efforts to defeat Daesh/ISIS and al-Shabab in East Africa, what he termed as “mutual support” for Ukraine, and ongoing efforts to deploy a Kenyan security force in the crisis-stricken Caribbean nation of Haiti.
Other major non-NATO allies include Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Egypt, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, New Zealand, Pakistan, the Philippines, Qatar, South Korea, Thailand, and Tunisia. Taiwan is treated as a major non-NATO ally without the formal designation.
Implications for Kenya
Strategic and Security Benefits:
- Enhanced Military Cooperation: As a major non-NATO ally (MNNA), Kenya will gain access to a range of military and financial advantages. These include priority delivery of military surplus, participation in defense research and development programs, and procurement of certain defense equipment. Kenya will be eligible to purchase sophisticated NATO military hardware, enhancing its defense capabilities. This access to advanced technology and equipment will strengthen Kenya’s ability to address security threats and bolster its military infrastructure.
- Capacity Building: Kenya’s armed forces will benefit from increased training opportunities and joint exercises with U.S. forces, enhancing their capabilities to address regional security threats, particularly from terrorist organizations like al-Shabab.
Economic and Diplomatic Impact:
- Increased Foreign Investment: The MNNA status may boost investor confidence in Kenya, given the strengthened bilateral relations with the U.S., potentially leading to increased foreign direct investment.
- Diplomatic Prestige: This designation elevates Kenya’s status on the international stage, recognizing its ‘strategic importance and solidifying its role as a key U.S. partner in Africa.’
Maritime Security and Economic Implications:
- Strategic Coastline: Kenya’s coastline along the Indian Ocean makes it a vital maritime player. The MNNA status enhances Kenya’s capability to secure its maritime borders, countering piracy and safeguarding trade routes.
- Port Development: U.S. support could lead to increased infrastructure at key ports such as Mombasa, boosting trade and economic growth. Enhanced port security would also mitigate risks of illegal activities like smuggling and trafficking.
Impact on the East African Community (EAC)
Regional Security Dynamics:
- Leadership Role: Kenya’s expected enhanced military capabilities and stronger ties with the U.S. from this designation, position it as a regional security player. This could facilitate greater collaboration within the EAC on security issues, particularly in counter-terrorism efforts.
- Balancing Influence: Kenya’s closer alignment with the U.S. might influence the EAC’s collective stance on global issues, potentially balancing growing Chinese and Russian influence in the region.
Economic Integration and Cooperation:
- Infrastructure Development: Increased U.S. involvement could lead to more infrastructure projects in Kenya, with spillover benefits for neighboring EAC countries through improved regional connectivity and trade.
- Trade Facilitation: Kenya’s MNNA status could expedite trade agreements and economic partnerships between the EAC and the U.S., fostering regional economic integration.
Implications for the African Union (AU)
Security and Stability:
- AU Peacekeeping Missions: Kenya’s expected enhanced military capabilities could bolster AU peacekeeping efforts across the continent, contributing to greater stability in conflict-prone areas. Although it should be noted that the AU has been silent on this development since it was announced in May.
- Counterterrorism Efforts: The designation reinforces Kenya’s role in combating terrorism, which aligns with AU initiatives to address extremism and insurgencies in Africa.
Geopolitical Influence:
- Strategic Balancing: Kenya’s new status may prompt other AU member states to reconsider their foreign relations strategies, potentially leading to a more balanced geopolitical landscape in Africa amidst competing interests from global powers.
- Policy Leadership: As a major non-NATO ally, Kenya might influence AU policy directions, advocating for stronger ties with the U.S. and greater collaboration on shared security and economic goals.
Maritime Influence in Africa:
Countering Russian and Chinese Presence: Kenya’s MNNA status with its strategic coastline is seen by many as US counterbalance to the growing Russian and Chinese maritime presence in Africa. Both nations have been increasing their influence through port investments and military bases, such as China’s base in Djibouti.
The designation of Kenya as a major non-NATO ally by the United States marks a significant milestone with far-reaching implications. For Kenya, it promises enhanced military capabilities, economic opportunities, and diplomatic prestige. Within the East African Community, it positions Kenya as a security leader and economic hub, potentially benefiting the entire region. On the broader African continent, this move could enhance the African Union’s peacekeeping and counterterrorism efforts while prompting a strategic realignment among member states.
