U.S. backs Kenya’s regional peace role, eyes deeper strategic ties

The United States has reaffirmed its strong support for Kenya’s leadership in promoting regional stability, advancing democratic governance, and spearheading the Multinational Security Support (MSS) Mission in Haiti.

During a high-level meeting in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, Kenya’s Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Musalia Mudavadi briefed the U.S. Secretary of State Senator Marco Rubio on the ongoing peace efforts in the DRC led by the East African Community (EAC) and Southern African Development Community (SADC) including the involvement of five Heads of State. 

Senator Rubio praised Kenya’s role as a regional anchor state and expressed Washington’s commitment in supporting Nairobi’s efforts in peacekeeping and diplomacy across Africa and the Caribbean.

In a statement, CS Mudavadi noted that the discussions held in Washington also focused on expanding trade and investment as well as and deepened diplomatic engagement between the two states with the two leaders underscoring the need to fast-track the Kenya–U.S. Free Trade Agreement.

“Kenya and the United States continue to build on decades of shared values and strategic cooperation,” he noted. “We discussed regional peace and security, expanded trade and investment, and deepened diplomatic engagement.”

Senator Rubio expressed keen interest in visiting the country to further strengthen Kenya-U.S. strategic partnership.