U.S. Senator Jim Risch, the ranking member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has renewed calls for Washington to reassess its relationship with Kenya, citing concerns over Nairobi’s deepening engagement with China. The Idaho Republican, who played a key role in designating Kenya a Major Non-NATO Ally earlier this year, expressed alarm at what he termed as Kenya’s “dalliance with China.”
“Kenya plays a vital role in regional counterterrorism and stability. But as our newest Major Non-NATO Ally, Kenya’s ties with China are troubling,” Risch said on social media platform X, responding to a meeting between United Democratic Alliance (UDA) officials and Chinese Ambassador Guo Haiyan earlier this week.
During the meeting, UDA leaders, including party chairperson Cecily Mbarire and Secretary General Omar Hassan, discussed strengthening ties between the ruling party and China’s Communist Party. Ambassador Guo described party-to-party communication as crucial for bilateral relations and emphasized shared governance goals.
Risch warned that such deepened diplomatic engagement with Beijing—particularly within party structures—was inconsistent with the expectations of a strategic ally. “Widened diplomacy with America’s greatest competitor is not an alliance—it’s a risk for the US to assess,” he said.
The UDA defended the engagement, stating it complements executive-level diplomacy and aligns with mutual respect and strategic partnership. The growing closeness between the two parties has included high-level visits and the exchange of party-building experiences.
The tensions come amid Kenya’s expressed interest in joining BRICS, a global bloc perceived to challenge Western dominance. Senator Risch previously criticized President William Ruto’s comments in Beijing where he described China and Kenya as “co-architects of a new world order,” saying it signaled not just alignment but “allegiance.”
Kenya’s leadership has since responded firmly. Nelson Koech, chair of Kenya’s parliamentary foreign affairs committee, asserted Africa’s right to chart its own global course. Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi reinforced Kenya’s sovereign right to choose its international partnerships, emphasizing that Nairobi is not abandoning Washington, but rather expanding its diplomatic horizons.
