The United States has set a clear timeline to investigate Kenya’s designation as a Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) following concerns over its ties with China and alleged links to terror groups, including al-Shabaab.
According to the Congressional Record Vol. 171, Senator James Risch tabled an amendment to the U.S. defense appropriations bill for the 2026 fiscal year, calling for a review of Kenya’s MNNA status conferred on June 24, 2024.
If the amendment is enacted, the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Secretary of Defense, the Treasury, and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI), will begin the review within 90 days. A classified report detailing the findings will be submitted to the relevant congressional committees within 180 days.
The probe will assess Kenya’s role in countering violent extremism, its contribution to peace and security in Sub-Saharan Africa, and its participation in UN peacekeeping missions, particularly in Haiti. It will also evaluate Kenya’s economic and security partnership with the U.S.
A central focus will be Kenya’s military, political, and financial relations with China, Russia, and Iran including any agreements or joint activities since June 2024. The review will scrutinize Kenya’s participation in China’s Belt and Road Initiative, as well as bilateral debt and trade arrangements.
Investigators will also examine alleged connections to non-state armed groups and violent extremist organizations, such as Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) and al-Shabaab. The report will look into Kenya’s financial systems to determine whether they provide safe havens for individuals and entities sanctioned by the U.S., including terrorist organizations based in Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, and Uganda.
Additionally, the review will evaluate Kenya’s use of U.S. security assistance and intelligence support, including potential links to human rights abuses such as abductions, torture, renditions, and violence against civilians.
The outcome could have significant implications for Kenya’s defense cooperation, trade, and diplomatic standing with Washington. If the findings are unfavorable, the U.S. could revoke Kenya’s MNNA status a move that would mark a major shift in relations just months after the designation was granted.
