Staff Reports
President Biden and Kenyan President William Ruto will meet at the White House on Thursday. They will also hold a joint press conference before a state dinner, which will be the first such event for an African leader in over 15 years.
There are serious issues that connect the two countries at an important time. These issues include the American counterterrorism campaign in Africa, which relies heavily on Kenya’s help, and the potential U.S. investment in Kenya. The investment could help Kenya recover from a large amount of debt, a significant portion of which is owed to China.
From counterterrorism to Haiti, Biden and Ruto to enlist the other's help during key meeting – https://t.co/YgYAcfp5XZ
— The Washington Times (@WashTimes) May 22, 2024
One of the important items on the agenda is the arrival of a multinational police force, with about 1,000 Kenyan personnel, in Haiti to restore order. This mission is crucial, as Haiti is grappling with gang violence and political turmoil. The decision to send Kenyan personnel to Haiti has positioned Kenya at the center of a major foreign policy crisis close to U.S. shores.
There has been opposition to the plan in Kenya, with court challenges seeking to block the deployment to Haiti. Despite the resistance, President Ruto remains firm in his desire for Kenyan units to lead the multinational force. A successful mission could significantly enhance both President Ruto’s and Kenya’s broader geopolitical standing.
The visit by President Ruto offers President Biden the opportunity to demonstrate his commitment to Africa. It aligns with his promise to devote more time and attention to the continent than past presidents. The U.S. is also racing to withdraw all American personnel from Niger, which has been home to a key U.S. drone base for counterterrorism missions across the Sahel and other parts of Africa. This makes the U.S. partnership with Kenya even more critical as the U.S. seeks to maintain a key counterterrorism partnership with a leading African government.
President Ruto will also seek greater U.S. financial investment in Kenya, which could help the country reduce its dependence on Chinese loans. The approximately $6.3 billion in Chinese loans to Kenya accounts for nearly two-thirds of Nairobi’s total foreign debt. Critics argue that China’s lending practices to poor and developing countries are predatory, and President Ruto might push for American investment as an alternative.
The meeting between the two leaders will cover a broad range of topics, including trade and investment, technological innovation, climate and clean energy, health and security, and more. The U.S. will seek to deepen its counterterrorism partnership with Kenya, while President Ruto will push for American investment to improve Kenya’s economy and reduce its reliance on Chinese loans.
