Kenya Writes To US Senator Over Remarks On Kenya-China Relations

Prime Cabinet Secretary Musalia Mudavadi has revealed that he has written to US Senator Jim Risch to clarify Kenya’s stance in the wake of President William Ruto’s recent state visit to China.

This comes as he affirmed Kenya’s position that it is a sovereign state and has the right to choose its friends and determine with whom it associates.

Speaking during a TV interview on Tuesday, Mudavadi emphasized that when Kenya engages or holds talks with any country, it should not be taken out of context.

“I have formally written to the senator explaining Kenya’s position and getting him to appreciate the context in which the statement he is alluding to was made,” he said.

US Senator Jim Risch has accused Kenya of aiding Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in legitimising its rule under the guise of peace talks, escalating diplomatic tensions between Washington and Nairobi.

In his letter, Mudavadi said he also extended an invitation to the senator to visit Kenya “if he pleases” to have a more detailed conversation.

He stated that the sentiments expressed by the senator do not imply strained relations between Kenya and the US, suggesting that this was a personal view.

During his visit to China last month, President Ruto had an opportunity to address students at Peking University, where he stated that Kenya and China were the “co-architects of a new world order”.

This was interpreted by some as a signal of geopolitical shifts toward new superpowers like China.

According to the Republican senator, the statement was not only an alignment with China but also demonstrated allegiance to Beijing.

“Relying on leaders who embrace Beijing so openly is an error. It’s time to reassess our relationship with Kenya and others who forge tight bonds with China,” said Risch.

He added that it was time to reassess their relationship with Kenya and others who maintain close ties with China.

The PCS, who also doubles as Foreign Affairs Cabinet Secretary, clarified that regardless of Kenya’s size or status, “there is one thing that we must always safeguard — the sovereignty of our nation”.

“It is a principle that we must always uphold,” he said.