The recent street turmoil that engulfed Kenya's capital dealt a blow to the Biden administration's close ties with President William Ruto, a key US ally in Africa. The designation of Kenya as a major non-NATO ally marked a significant outcome of Ruto's state visit to Washington, where he was warmly received at the White House. However, Ruto's domestic popularity has plummeted due to tough economic measures that burdened Kenyan citizens while failing to address high-level corruption. These grievances sparked days of protests, culminating in violent clashes with the police near Parliament in Nairobi. Human rights groups reported at least five deaths.
In response to the violence, the US State Department condemned the loss of life and injuries sustained, offering condolences to the affected families. They called for restraint and dialogue to restore order. The US ambassador to Kenya, Meg Whitman, who has a close relationship with President Ruto, faced criticism from opposition leaders for allegedly favoring Ruto. Whitman, a former business executive, has been pushing for increased American investment in Kenya's thriving tech industry, known as Africa's Silicon Savannah.
President Ruto had also garnered support from Western nations for his advocacy of radical reforms and debt relief in the international financial system, aiming to boost economic growth in Africa. During his Washington visit, agreements were made with companies like Microsoft and an Emirati AI firm to foster inward investment and tap into the renewable energy potential in Kenya and other African countries.
The unrest in Kenya poses a challenge for the Biden administration's efforts to strengthen alliances and maintain influence in Africa, especially as rivals such as Russia and China expand their presence on the continent.
