Summary of US-Kenya Deals During Ruto’s State Visit

President William Ruto will today conclude his state visit to the United States. Having been hosted by his counterpart President Joe Biden and held numerous bilateral meetings with different leaders and corporations, it’s estimated that U.S. had committed close to a trillion shillings in investments in what analysts are viewing as a loud statement by the Americans to consolidate and counter the growing influence of China and Russia in Africa.

Kenya which has now been accorded the prestigious non-NATO ally status by President Biden, joins a high league of countries with fortified military ties. U.S. has made a statement that Kenya wits key ally in the region.

Deals Sealed

The U.S. has made commitments to Kenya in different economic sectors including;

Defense and Security;

US will designate Kenya as a major non-NATO ally, making it the first sub-Saharan African country to receive the designation. Currently, 18 countries are designated as non-NATO allies.

The alliance between Kenya and NATO – will deliver an additional U.S. aid, including a new $7 million partnership to help modernize Kenya’s National Police Service, with a focus on staff and training development.

Kenya and US will also establish a strategic dialogue on artificial intelligence.

Trade and Investment;

Microsoft will partner with United Arab Emirates-based artificial intelligence firm G42 to invest $1 billion in a data center in Kenya as part of its efforts to expand cloud computing services in East Africa.

The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation announced plans to open an office in Kenya’s capital Nairobi, playing a key role in driving its efforts across key sectors in Kenya such as agriculture, health, e-mobility, and energy.

The U.S. Agency for International Development will provide $15 million for new activities to reduce poverty and malnutrition and address global food security by expanding investment opportunities.

Kenya and Coca cola signed Framework Collaboration Agreement to reinforce Coca-Cola’s engagement with Government of Kenya on policy consideration and Coca-Cola’s support in setting up a mango supply chain hub in Kenya.

Coca-Cola will invest Sh23 billion ($175 million) over the next five years to expand its operations in Kenya.

Debt and Finance;

Launch the Nairobi-Washington Vision, a call to the international community to help debt-laden countries like Kenya manage debt while investing in economic growth. Ask international financial institutions to provide coordinated packages of support and creditor countries to provide forms of debt relief.

The United States has committed to:

Make available lending of up to $21 billion to the International Monetary Fund’s Poverty Reduction and Growth Trust to support the poorest countries.

Provide $250 million for crisis response to the World Bank’s International Development Association.

Climate Change, Kenya and USA agree to;

Launch of U.S-Kenya Climate and Clean Energy Industrial Partnership. The U.S. and Kenya plan to work with international financial institutions and multilateral trust funds to identify mechanisms for mobilizing investment for clean energy manufacturing and services.

Support Virunga Power, a U.S. company that announced a pipeline of six hydropower projects in Kenya with a total expected investment of $100 million. These projects will provide 31 megawatts of clean, renewable energy over the next five years.

Have the USA provide a $60 million grant from the Millennium Challenge Corporation that will fund a four-year program in Kenya focusing on transportation needs, safer options for women and pedestrians, and climate-friendly public transportation.

Healthcare;

The U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Kenya’s government will share information, identifying best practices and defining steps toward the development and full launch of the Kenyan National Public Health Institute.

The International Development Finance Corporation is making a $10 million direct loan to Kenyan company Hewa Tele, which supplies medical oxygen to healthcare facilities in Africa.

HIV Sustainability Roadmap: An agreement for Kenya’s Ministry of Health and the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) to collaborate in developing a sustainable plan to eliminate HIV as a public health threat in Kenya by 2027.

The USA will provide $31.1 million investment in Kenya’s digital health infrastructure, including expanding the availability of electronic medical records at the clinic and community levels, building renewable solar power plants for hospitals, and linking pregnant women to ambulance services through mobile platforms.

Education;

Kenya will benefit with $3.3 million to fund a program for 60 Kenyan undergraduate students to study in the United States, focusing on STEM subjects.

Kenya will also get additional $500,000 to support Kenyan students, scientists, researchers, and engineers by encouraging U.S. universities to increase investment in relationships with Kenyan universities and research institutions.

The John Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies will launch a new fellowship program this fall bringing together high-achieving mid-career government officials from select African countries. Kenya is the first country to be added to the inaugural fellowship cohort.