JD Vance’s anticipated visit to Kenya is now uncertain following the United States’ withdrawal from the upcoming G20 Summit in South Africa. Initially, the Vice President’s trip to Nairobi was contingent on attending the summit, scheduled for November 22–23 in Johannesburg.
A senior White House official confirmed to Reuters that Vance will not attend the summit and has no other international travel plans in the near term. This development casts doubt on the Kenya leg of his trip, which had been seen as a key diplomatic engagement under the Trump administration.
Vance’s visit would have marked the first official engagement by a senior US executive official in Kenya since Donald Trump returned to power. Analysts noted that the trip was expected to strengthen bilateral relations and address strategic economic interests in East Africa, particularly amid growing US-China competition over access to critical mineral resources. Mrima Hill, a 390-acre forest near the Kenyan coast believed to hold rare earth minerals, has emerged as a focal point in this rivalry.
The Trump administration’s decision to boycott the G20 summit stems from allegations that the South African government has mistreated its white minority population. Trump described the summit as a “total disgrace” on his Truth Social account, citing alleged human rights abuses against white farmers. South African authorities have consistently denied these claims, maintaining that their land reform policies are aimed at addressing historical injustices rather than targeting a racial group.
With Washington now absent from the global forum, Vance’s Kenya visit remains in limbo. Observers argue that the trip could have been an opportunity for the US to reaffirm its presence in Africa, particularly as China continues to expand its influence across the continent.
For now, Nairobi waits to see whether the Vice President will reschedule his visit, leaving strategic and economic discussions between the US and Kenya on uncertain footing.
