What Will Kenya Lose if U.S. Congress Enforces Sanctions?

Nairobi – Sudanhorizon

The Kenyan Daily published an article titled: “What Will Kenya Lose if the United States Revokes Its Major Non-NATO Ally (MNNA) Status Due to Ruto’s Foreign Policy Mistakes”, summarizing points raised by two Sudanhorizon writers over the past two days.

The daily noted on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, that Kenya risks major diplomatic and military setbacks amid renewed scrutiny by U.S. lawmakers over its MNNA designation — granted during President William Ruto’s official visit to Washington in May 2024, the first by a Kenyan leader in 15 years.

This designation, seen as a reward for Kenya’s cooperation in counterterrorism and support for Western-led global initiatives, is now under threat. An amendment introduced by U.S. Senator Jim Risch in August 2025 calls for a formal review of Kenya’s MNNA eligibility, highlighting seven areas of concern.

These include Kenya’s role in peacekeeping in Africa and Haiti, its counter-extremism record, and deepening security ties with rival powers such as China, Russia, and Iran. Analysts link the review to recent foreign policy missteps by Ruto’s administration, which courted both Western allies and authoritarian regimes in an attempt to balance geopolitical interests — an approach now angering Washington.

The review, set to begin within 90 days, could strip Kenya of key strategic benefits, the paper argued.
“These privileges may include access to surplus U.S. military equipment, priority in weapons purchases, funding for joint defense projects, and eligibility to bid on overseas U.S. Department of Defense contracts,” it stated.

Kenya’s Foreign Minister, Korir Sing’Oei, sought to allay fears, saying the concerns would be “comprehensively addressed” while reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to national sovereignty and international cooperation.

However, the daily omitted an important regional point — Kenya’s standing as a neutral leader in nearly all global peacekeeping missions, particularly in Africa. Losing MNNA status would undermine its credibility as an Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) partner capable of mediating peace, especially in Sudan. The Sudanese still remember the Machakos Agreement.

More critically, such sanctions would implicate Kenya in supporting not only Sudan’s opposition but also the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF), hosted by the Kenyan government despite the RSF’s role in human rights violations and ethnic cleansing. This would place Kenya among the states aiding RSF militias in various ways, stripping it of any moral authority to mediate conflicts or political divides in Africa, among other consequences.

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